CHRISTINE MILNE Hobart, Friday 22 May 2009
Tasmania’s national parks are being marketed aggressively as “unforgettable natural experiences” whilst being entirely forgettable when it comes to Government management and resourcing, the Australian Greens said today.
These are the findings of the report, Paradoxes of Protection, by Dr Louise Crossley, commissioned by Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne and launched by the Senator in Hobart today.
“The chronic under-funding of Tasmania’s parks has to be turned around,” Senator Milne said.
“Whereas once National Parks were for the protection of flora, fauna and cultural heritage, now they are viewed as cash cows for the tourism industry with value only for recreation and public use.
“The culture has to change from exploitation to conservation, especially in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
“It is shocking that Tasmania has only one ranger for every 30,000 hectares of reserved lands compared to one in every 5000 for Victoria and the bulk of resources are spent on tourism facilities and not on ecosystem maintenance, weeds and feral animal eradication, tracks, or proper interpretation.”
Senator Milne said the report showed that the Tasmanian government must bring the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service back together as one agency with the Nature conservation branch. It must increase the on-ground presence of rangers, and dedicate resources to re-establishing the core business of the Agency – namely the development and management of a truly ecologically representative system of reserved lands for biodiversity conservation, and protection of habitats and cultural heritage.
To that end forest reserves adjacent to National Parks should be incorporated into those parks. The World Heritage Area should be increased to include the Tarkine and precious forests along the eastern boundary.
“Tourism is a subset of conservation not the other way around. Tasmanian governments and corporate tourism operators have become so good at profiting from other people’s principles they don’t even understand what those principles are,” Senator Milne said.
“Commercial development in national parks is unacceptable. Overseas experience in countries like Cost Rica show that good interpretation and facilities outside parks are the way to go.
“Future generations will not forgive those in power today who squander our biodiversity, our precious native plants and animals.”
The report, Paradoxes of Protection, is attached and available at http://www.christinemilne.org.au
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