The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the passage through the Lower House of the National Parks and Reserves Management Amendment (Parks and Reserves Authority) Bill 2013 which will establish an independent statutory body responsible for the management of the state’s National Parks, Reserves and Crown Land.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that while the Greens’ would have preferred a stronger model, they supported the Bill as it is a significant step in the right direction and an improvement on the current situation.

“This Bill establishes a statutory Authority responsible for the management of our world-class reserves estate,” Mr McKim said.

“The Bill will improve the management, planning and strategic use of our Parks, reserves and Crown Land.”

“Our invaluable National Parks and other reserves deserve to have a dedicated authority to ensure their natural and cultural heritage values, their carbon values and their public accessibility are managed and enhanced in accordance with current best practice.”

“The Greens will examine the resourcing of the new Authority to ensure it is properly staffed to take on the responsibility of managing approximately 46% of the state.”

“The new structure in no way reflects on the outstanding past work of our dedicated Parks staff, but actually builds on that strong reputation by highlighting the significance of the state’s reserve-system, and ensuring it is managed holistically.”

“The proposed new Parks and Reserves Authority is also consistent with the Tasmanian Forest Agreement signed by the industry, union and conservation signatories representatives last year, which is important in meeting ongoing durability requirements.”

Reference: Clause 55, Tasmanian Forest Agreement, 22 November 2012
“55. The Signatories agree that the production forest estate and reserves forest estate should be managed by institutions that provide secure and durable management outcomes consistent with the intended purpose of those respective forest areas… Specifically in respect to the reserves estate, the management of new reserves arising from this agreement should be under the management of a properly funded dedicated Parks agency, with direct reporting responsibility to the Minister, and adequate capacity.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader