The Tasmanian Conservation Trust attended the state budget 2016-17 lockup this afternoon and we have a response to two key announcements …

Energy efficiency loan scheme

The TCT supports the Minister for Energy Matthew Groom’s commitment of $10 million dollars for a new interest free energy efficiency loan scheme to support businesses and households invest in a range of energy efficiency products.

“We await with interest the promised details of the scheme design over coming months and encourage the minister to involve non-government conservation groups in this work”, said TCT Director.

“In particular the TCT encourages the minister to involve those ENGOs with experience in energy efficiency program delivery to be involved both in the program design and delivery.”

“The TCT also hopes the minister can widen the focus of the program to provide households with advice and education on how to reduce energy use, and not just limit the program to acquiring ‘new products’, and to ensure ‘old products’ are reused or recycled,” said Mr McGlone.

Cradle Mountain Master PlanIn response to the Premier’s statement that the state budget will provide $15 million to start implementation of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, the TCT said it was pleased that the government had baulked at providing funding for the poorly conceived Cradle cable car.

“The government’s commitment to fund ‘necessary non-commercial public infrastructure.. such as the Dove Lake lookout, Visitor Centre and associated public infrastructure outside the Park’, is still disappointing because the broader Tasmanian public are yet to be consulted on any part of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan’, said Mr McGlone.

“The Cradle Coast Authority has only consulted a selected group of people and organisations in producing the plan and not a single conservation group that we know has been consulted,” said TCT Director Peter McGlone.

Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc
Ph: 03 62 343552
2nd fl, 191-193 Liverpool St, Hobart 7000
Email : [email protected]
Fax: 03 62 312491

Web: www.tct.org.au
Peter McGlone Director