Premier Hodgman refused to promise action on the waste problem on Bruny Island before the Easter tourist rush, despite a letter from residents three weeks ago pleading him to respond.
The Premier loves to tout Bruny Island as ‘the jewel in Tasmania’s tourism crown’. But there is a serious waste problem on Bruny Island.
Bags of rubbish are being dumped, litter is clogging up the environment, and there is even human poo on the beach.
Bruny Island is in danger of being loved to death, with a dramatic increase in tourism numbers. We’ve seen numbers up 24% in the year to September 2015, with an even greater explosion over summer.
There has been no increase in Parks and Wildlife staff or policing services. Facilities such as toilets and rubbish bins, and emergency services on the Island, are at breaking point.
When asked why he had done nothing to help clean up Bruny Island in Parliament today, all the Premier could point to was adding extra ferry sailings that have delivered more visitors to the island.
Premier Hodgman appeared to miss the irony that his government’s drive to increase tourist numbers, without providing supportive facilities, is the source of the problem. The Liberals can’t have the party and not help clean up.
• Guardian: Tasmania’s Bruny Island struggles with tourism boom as rubbish and ‘human poo’ pile up
• Luigi in Comments: … I just hope there won’t be too much unfortunate fallout for Will. Already I am warming to the phrase “the Loo-natic Right of the Liberal Party” and I fear that the name Hodgman may become an unfortunate colloquial casualty. Happily, “point Percy at the Hodgman” won’t work, and “strangle a Hodgman” would not be appreciated as a joke on TT. But Will will get naming rights on the edifice. BISH – the Bruny Island Shit House – is already taken. But the Wee Willie Memorial Dunny has a certain ring to it. …
• John Day in Comments: This major problem for Bruny and Tasmania is now being reported in national and European newspapers and news websites. Complete failure by Councils, the Premier and Minister of Tourism. They live and act as if they are still in the 90s (I will write and mail you a response). They can spend and waste millions without reference, follow up and sensible outcomes. Why not on waste and toilets on Bruny, and other places.I bet there are enough toilets and waste bins at the football and cricket. What about the disheartened community members dealing and raising this issue. They would have to feel totally let down, and now less supportive of Councils and all of the Government.
• Luke Martin in Comments: Let’s get some facts and perspective in this debate. Discussion about putting a levy on tourists to Bruny Island is completely nonsensical when these visitors are currently being subsidised to come to the island to the tune of $640,000 a year via the State Government’s support for the ferry service. This figure is set to increase to $950,000 per annum when there is a second ferry introduced into the route.
