WORLD HERITAGE EXTENSION REPORT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Call for Tripartite Support for Proposal

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the release of the Western Tasmania: A Place of outstanding universal value report, commissioned by Senator Bob Brown, which identifies a range of natural and cultural World Heritage values outside the existing Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the report has identified an exciting opportunity for the Tasmanian World Heritage Area to be expanded to protect its values and enhance its contribution to the Tasmanian economy.

“Extending the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area will boost Tasmania’s national and international reputation, and enhance the contribution these special places make to the Tasmanian economy,” Mr McKim said.

“A recent Federal government report identified that visitors to the current Tasmanian World Heritage Area pump over $200 million annually into the Tasmanian economy, and create over 5000 direct and indirect jobs.” [1]

“The same report identified that visitors to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area contributes over $700 million in annual business turnover, and over $300 million in added value, and states that, ‘The Tasmanian Wilderness WHA is by far the largest contributor of economic activity to the Tasmanian economy…’ [2]

“About 85% of the proposed extension is already in existing reserves. It’s time that the values in those areas were properly protected and enhanced with WHA status, with extra federal funding an inevitable result.”

“This proposal should receive broad political support as exemplifies a respect for Tasmania’s special places, and will underpin a broad economic foundation for Tasmania’s future.”

“Tasmania is bucking the national trend with an increase in visitors despite the economic downturn. It clearly pays off to protect our natural assets for their own sake, and as a sound investment in a broad based economic future.”

[1] Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts; Economic Activity of Australia’s World Heritage Areas, July 2008; pg 48.

[2] ibid; pg 49.
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader