Nick McKim MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
The Tasmanian Government's proposal to allow logging and mining in the World Heritage Area has prompted an extraordinary response from the United Nations, including a proposal to send a UNESCO delegation to the state later this year.
The World Heritage Committee's draft decision, which was tabled in Paris yesterday, should be a massive wake up call for Environment Minister, Matthew Groom.
The Committee is so concerned with Mr Groom's woeful draft Management Plan that they have requested a delegation to visit Tasmania, which clearly demonstrates a lack of trust in both the State and Commonwealth governments.
Mr Groom now needs to get on with creating National Park status on land inside the TWWHA, fixing his shocking draft management plan, conducting cultural heritage work, properly funding management of the TWWHA, and reinstating the wilderness zone.
This needs to be done before the UN delegation arrives, and Mr Groom must publish a timetable and plan for achieving these objectives.