Maria Island Development
The following information was originally published Friday, 27 June 2003. Subsequent campaigning by the TNPA was successful in preventing this development.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association would like you to be aware that the Labor government had secretly negotiated with an east coast developer to have two six-month periods of exclusivity to formulate convention center development plans for Maria Island. The developer is also interested in securing exclusive ferry access to the island.
The TNPA strongly believes that developments ought to be kept outside of our National Park boundaries in order to protect the extremely precious cultural and also natural values of the island. The development could be appropriately sited on the east coast and outside the National Park, where the local community can reap some benefits to their own economy.
Tourists and locals are attracted to Maria Island because of its isolation, natural beauty as well as the amazing undeveloped heritage buildings and other infrastructure of our convict history. You can escape from the modern world and immerse yourself in amongst history and nature. You can choose to camp amongst superb coastal scenery or spend a night in the old convict penitentiary, or just visit for a few hours. Maria Island is a very special place to many people. These include those with historical family links, school groups, scouting groups, artists, bushwalking clubs and many recreationalists, tourists and locals.
In our current political climate we are discovering that developers have approached our government (Department of Economic Development and also Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts) with their intentions to develop in our National Parks. We may hear later that "in-confidence" deals have been negotiated as is the case with Maria Island currently. In some cases Management Plans have been reviewed and re-written to allow developments. Yes keep an eye out as the Management Plan for Maria Island is due to be reviewed and potentially rewritten this year, most likely to allow for the large convention center development. The TNPA will be trying to gather as much information as we can and keep you informed.
And with reference to the management of Maria Island from Freedom of Information material received:
"The Parks and Wildlife Service are involved in provision of services that are better provided for by the private sector". (Maria Island Management Report, Nov 2000)
"An ongoing partnership agreement for the private sector to provide the basic management functions on Maria should be established. This would free up skilled staff to perform more appropriate duties on mainland Tasmania".(Maria Island Management Report, Nov 2000).
The TNPA feels strongly that the Parks and Wildlife staff should remain on Maria Island and continue to do the fantastic work that they do. Our National Parks are not prime pieces of real estate to be given away, along with the management of such precious places!
Its interesting to quote our Premier Jim Bacon (Minister for Tourism, Parks and Heritage ) on the 1st January 2003 "I have said unequivocally and on many occasions that I do not support commercial tourism developments in our National Parks". Then on the 13 March, 2003 on his own website he quotes "I have said on any number of occasions that I don't, as a rule, favour developments in National Parks." And in reference to the Maria Island deal "In the past there was a need to have exclusivity agreements in place because we needed to attract investors".
The TNPA believes strongly NO! NO! NO! we don't need to attract investors to our National Parks, our sacred wild places where nature conservation is first priority. It is our public land and we encourage you to make a stand. Let us ensure that our National Parks remain protected in such a manner that future generations receive them in as good or better condition.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association would like you to be aware that the Labor government had secretly negotiated with an east coast developer to have two six-month periods of exclusivity to formulate convention center development plans for Maria Island. The developer is also interested in securing exclusive ferry access to the island.
The TNPA strongly believes that developments ought to be kept outside of our National Park boundaries in order to protect the extremely precious cultural and also natural values of the island. The development could be appropriately sited on the east coast and outside the National Park, where the local community can reap some benefits to their own economy.
Tourists and locals are attracted to Maria Island because of its isolation, natural beauty as well as the amazing undeveloped heritage buildings and other infrastructure of our convict history. You can escape from the modern world and immerse yourself in amongst history and nature. You can choose to camp amongst superb coastal scenery or spend a night in the old convict penitentiary, or just visit for a few hours. Maria Island is a very special place to many people. These include those with historical family links, school groups, scouting groups, artists, bushwalking clubs and many recreationalists, tourists and locals.
In our current political climate we are discovering that developers have approached our government (Department of Economic Development and also Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts) with their intentions to develop in our National Parks. We may hear later that "in-confidence" deals have been negotiated as is the case with Maria Island currently. In some cases Management Plans have been reviewed and re-written to allow developments. Yes keep an eye out as the Management Plan for Maria Island is due to be reviewed and potentially rewritten this year, most likely to allow for the large convention center development. The TNPA will be trying to gather as much information as we can and keep you informed.
And with reference to the management of Maria Island from Freedom of Information material received:
"The Parks and Wildlife Service are involved in provision of services that are better provided for by the private sector". (Maria Island Management Report, Nov 2000)
"An ongoing partnership agreement for the private sector to provide the basic management functions on Maria should be established. This would free up skilled staff to perform more appropriate duties on mainland Tasmania".(Maria Island Management Report, Nov 2000).
The TNPA feels strongly that the Parks and Wildlife staff should remain on Maria Island and continue to do the fantastic work that they do. Our National Parks are not prime pieces of real estate to be given away, along with the management of such precious places!
Its interesting to quote our Premier Jim Bacon (Minister for Tourism, Parks and Heritage ) on the 1st January 2003 "I have said unequivocally and on many occasions that I do not support commercial tourism developments in our National Parks". Then on the 13 March, 2003 on his own website he quotes "I have said on any number of occasions that I don't, as a rule, favour developments in National Parks." And in reference to the Maria Island deal "In the past there was a need to have exclusivity agreements in place because we needed to attract investors".
The TNPA believes strongly NO! NO! NO! we don't need to attract investors to our National Parks, our sacred wild places where nature conservation is first priority. It is our public land and we encourage you to make a stand. Let us ensure that our National Parks remain protected in such a manner that future generations receive them in as good or better condition.
Copyright © 2011
The Tasmania National Parks Association Inc seeks to preserve Tasmania's national parks and reserves through management committed to the conservation of their natural and cultural values.
ABN: 38 875 435 295
The Tasmania National Parks Association Inc seeks to preserve Tasmania's national parks and reserves through management committed to the conservation of their natural and cultural values.
ABN: 38 875 435 295
