Minister Matthew Groom’s unprecedented attack on wilderness continues as he ignores the current World Heritage Area Management Plan and approves projects which appear to contravene the current plan to the next stage of his secreting Expressions of Interest process.
“Mr Groom might not like it, but there is a current World Heritage Area management plan in place which he is needs to consider. He simply should not be approving projects which contravene that plan through to the next stage of his secret EoI process,” said Greens Parks spokesperson Nick McKim MP.
“Tasmania now has a so-called Minister for Parks who turns a blind eye to current National Park and World Heritage Area management plans. He should be ashamed of himself.”
“Wilderness is the number one motivating asset in tourists deciding to visit Tasmania, yet Tourism Minister Will Hodgman is standing idly by as his Parks Minister launches an unprecedented attack on wilderness values.”
“Mr Groom’s draft WHA management plan is the biggest threat to wilderness in Tasmania since the HEC flooded lake Pedder and tried to dam the Franklin.”
“Some of the proposals that have been released by Mr Groom look highly problematic, while others which are outside the World Heritage Area and National Parks look exciting and worthy of further consideration. The problem is the secrecy and Mr Grooms abject failure to consider the current management plan for National Parks and the WHA,” Mr McKim said.