FAN and RACT members relieved at RACT decision to protect Freycinet

The Freycinet Action Network (FAN), RACT member and sponsor of a potential Special General Meeting of RACT members, Sophie Underwood, today welcomed the decision of the RACT to revise its development plans for the Freycinet Lodge and rule out an expansion of the lodge’s footprint and lease further into Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast.

‘RACT’s decision to change its plans and constrain development at the Freycinet Lodge to the existing footprint is welcome and a win-win for the Freycinet National Park, the RACT and its members,’ said Ms Underwood.

‘While we look forward to continuing discussions with the RACT and seeing the final concept plans, at face value this is a good decision that will protect the integrity of the park, protect the brand of the RACT, yet still deliver tourism investment.

‘As members, we were mobilising to call on the RACT to withdraw its lease expansion plans at a Special General Meeting. Now any development will be restricted to the existing footprint of the lodge, that motion and meeting appears unnecessary. This is a relief for both members of the RACT and lovers of the Freycinet National Park and we thank the RACT for listening to us.

Government has been progressing the necessary changes to the Freycinet National Park’s management plan to facilitate an expansion of the lease; however, this change is also no longer needed.

‘We now expect a commitment from Government to maintain the longstanding management plan policy that explicitly prohibits an expansion of the Lodge’s lease area and the finalisation of the new management plan that confirms this,’ concluded Ms Underwood.
Sophie Underwood