It’s slow progress on parks proposals

JUST nine projects proposed under the Liberals’ controversial Expressions of Interest process are operating, seven years after the policy was announced, parliament has heard.

Budget Estimates sessions have heard a total of 65 proposals have been made for developments in the state’s national parks and reserves.

State Growth Minister Roger Jaensch says plans for a hut-based walk on the South Coast Track remain current, despite the proponent company being sold.

“The projects, the South Coasts Huts walk, the South East Cape walk and Maria Island Heritage Experience, whichever stage they’re at are unchanged from their initial assessment and will be assessed under the process under the same conditions they were originally,” he said.

“And the public will have the same opportunity to comment.”

Mr Jaensch said the proposals still had a way to go and Coordinator General John Perry confirmed that no Reserve Activity Assessment applications had yet been received.

Mr Jaensch said of proposals made to date under the EOI process, nine were operational and another 17 were under consideration or in lease and licence negotiations.

There has been 11 proposals for commercial developments in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, he said.

Of those, three proposals have been granted leases and licenses and were operating – a boat operator in Port Davey, a wilderness experience on the Gallagher Plateau and the Maydena bike park. A fourth, a standing camp at Lake Malbena, is not yet operational.

The expressions of interest process has come under criticism from some quarters for being secretive and giving developers favourable access to public land.