If Environment Minister Matthew Groom is serious about wanting an informed debate on development in National Parks and the WHA, he would release more details of the proposals he has received under the Expressions of Interest process.
"In response to my Right to Information request seeking location details of the 37 proposals submitted to government, the Department of State Growth has denied that request," Greens Parks spokesperson Nick McKim MP said.
“There may be some fantastic proposals, or some absolute lemons. We just don’t know because the Minister is deliberately keeping Tasmanians in the dark.”
“Are we dealing with a new road smashed into the heart of the South West wilderness, or a low impact camp for trout fishing tours? A hotel on the banks of the Franklin River, or a permit for sea-kayaking in Macquarie Harbour? Thanks to Mr Groom’s secret process we simply don’t know, and that’s not good enough.”
“The kind of secrecy we are seeing from Mr Groom is a symptom of arrogance, because Tasmania’s National Parks do not belong to the government. They are temporary stewards on behalf of the people of Tasmania and should start behaving as such.”
“I have asked DPIPWE to review the decision not to release the locations under the RTI Act, but there is nothing stopping Mr Groom simply making them public so that Tasmanians can have a better understanding of what has been proposed,” Mr McKim said.