Three Capes: narrow-viewed, highly divisive, expensive agenda

Spokesperson for the ‘Keeps the Capes Wild Group’ – Mr Ted Mead, claimed today that the proposed 3 Capes project on the Tasman Peninsula is undoubtedly leading Tasmanian taxpayers into unrecoverable future debt.

Mr Mead said “Given the present Budget Fiscal caution it is absurd that the State government is pushing ahead with its poorly researched and expensive tourist proposal within the Tasman National Park”.

The last estimates for the development were about $33 million – a dramatic increase from the $13 million estimated in 2007. “But the final costs of the proposal are most likely to excessively exceed this amount with no assurance of any return of equity” Mr Mead claims.

“The original feasibility study was a farce insofar as its consultation and methodology, and remains as an embarrassment to the Tourism Industry. If any of the Tasmanian government advocates pushing this project were operating in free enterprise then they would all be bankrupt, yet when it comes to taxpayers money there seems to be little accountability” Mr Mead said.

Last year alternative tourism proposals were drafted by Tasman Peninsula residents. Unfortunately all of these have been ignored by the State Government, as it appears determined to push its narrow-viewed, highly divisive, expensive agenda.

Mr Mead claims that he has recently formulated a far more logical and pragmatic tourism proposal that is less contentious, should satisfy most connservation and tourism interest groups, and essentially benefit the local economy. This 2-stage proposal encompasses a more sensitive and realistic approach, which offers a better natural experience for visitors to the park, and ultimately reduces the proposals costs by about $20 Million.

Mr Mead asserts “The funds allocated by the Federal Government as a job creation scheme should be spent to employ track construction workers and should not be misused on inappropriate up-market village complexes within our National Park”

Mr Mead is calling on the State Government to repeal the 2010 budget funding allocated for this project until a more appropriate and economically viable proposal is determined.