The Tarkine plan

Cassy O’Connor Greens MR
“The North West Coast has been left off the map by not having its iconic wilderness area properly recognised and protected like Freycinet and Cradle Mountain, and we believe that the region deserves better.”

TARKINE NATIONAL PARK – UNLOCKING BRADDON’S ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Secure Land Tenure is Foundation for Sustainable Economic Future for West and North-West Tasmania
Nick McKim MP
Greens’ Leader
Cassy O’Connor MP
Greens’ Shadow Tourism, Parks and Heritage Spokesperson
Friday, 12 December 2008

www.tas.greens.org.au

The Tasmanian Greens today committed to unlock Braddon’s economic potential by campaigning all the way to the March 2010 State Election to establish a Tarkine National Park.

In Braddon today after a light aircraft flight over sections of the proposed park boundary, Greens’ Leader, Nick McKim MP, and Greens’ Shadow Tourism, Parks and Heritage Spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said that the creation of a Tarkine National Park would combine the need to protect the area’s environmental and cultural heritage values with the opportunity to attract investment to the North-West and West Coast region.

Mr McKim and Ms O’Connor visited the beautiful Tarkine Wilderness Lodge, describing it as a prime example of the kind of regional development that provides an authentic Tarkine experience, and said that the marketing opportunities flowing from the creation of the Tarkine National Park would encourage further similar investment.

“Braddon has a rich timber and agricultural heritage, and the creation of a Tarkine National Park would build on these important industries to provide a broad base for the area’s economic future,” Mr McKim said.

“The North West Coast has been left off the map by not having its iconic wilderness area properly recognised and protected like Freycinet and Cradle Mountain, and we believe that the region deserves better.”

“The creation of a National Park would allow the massive economic potential of the area to be unlocked and would provide a strong foundation for the future of the electorate of Braddon.”

“The future of the Tarkine will be a crucial 2010 election issue in Braddon, and we will be working hard to communicate the economic opportunities that a National Park would create for the area.”

“Ultimately the Tarkine should be a World Heritage Area, but as this would require Federal government support we believe the creation of a National Park is a crucial step in the right direction.”

“In marketing terms the creation of a Tarkine National Park would be the best thing that could happen for Braddon, and would be of massive benefit to the many local tourism operators who have been left in the cold by Forestry Tasmania’s proposed $23 million road.”

“Rather than supporting a divisive and pointless road through the heart of the Tarkine David Bartlett should get behind a proposal for a National Park which would offer real long term economic benefits to the region.”

Ms O’Connor said the Tarkine possesses all the values necessary to qualify for declaration as a National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.

“The Tarkine is a region of breathtaking beauty and diversity of landscape, rich cultural history, rare flora and fauna. It is indeed, as defined under the Act, ‘A large natural area of land containing a representative or outstanding sample of major natural regions, features or scenery.’ Under the Act, the purpose of reserving land as National Park is, “The protection and maintenance of the natural and cultural values of the area of land while providing for ecologically sustainable recreation consistent with conserving those values.”[1]

“The Tarkine harbours an estimated 198 000 ha of carbon-bank rainforest and 64 known threatened species inside its boundaries.

“Its cultural history is also extraordinary. The traditional lands of the Tarkininer people, it is regarded as one of ‘the world’s great archaeological sites’. The Tarkine National Coalition found there are 244 recorded Aboriginal sites; four of Tasmania’s 11 known rock art sites; five of Tasmania’s 20 recorded ceremonial stone arrangements; and probably the most spectacular example of a pebble ‘pathway’ in Tasmania,”

“The Tasmanian Greens are committed to the protection of these outstanding natural and cultural values through the establishment of the Tarkine National Park,” Ms O’Connor said.

“We support the strategic direction set out in the Cradle Coast Authority’s ‘Tarkine Tourism Development Strategy’ with its focus on enhancing the visitor’s wilderness experience by identifying the most appropriate Tarkine access points, by investing more in existing road infrastructure, and creating more accessible walks, mountain bike trails and interpretation facilities.”

“This strategic direction is entirely consistent with, and would be enhanced by, the establishment of a Tarkine National Park.”

The Greens believe the Tarkine is currently threatened by:

· Logging;

· A destructive and narrowly focussed Forestry loop road proposal through the largest unbroken tract of rainforest in Australia;

· Lack of appropriate infrastructure and regional planning;

· Government neglect,

· Vandalism and arson;

· Over-exploitation of living resources, and;

· Climate change.

The Tasmanian Greens believe the Bartlett Government must recognise its responsibility to protect the area and the long-term viability of regional communities by establishing the Tarkine National Park and investing in sustainable, regional infrastructure. It must also provide the necessary staff and resources to ensure the Tarkine National Park is appropriately managed for conservation.

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Attached: The Tasmanian Greens, Protecting Places and Respecting People: The Tasmanian Greens’ Proposal for a Tarkine National Park; December 2008.

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[1] Nature Conservation Act 2002, Schedule 1 – Determination of class of reserved land.