Environment groups critical of Victoria's nature-based tourism plans

Environment groups say the release of new Victorian Government guidelines allowing for tourism development in the State's national parks has done little to allay their concerns.

On Saturday (30th March), the Victorian Governmenty unveiled its guidelines allowing for hotel, restaurant and other tourism developments at Point Nepean, Port Campbell, Wilsons Promontory and the Grampians.

Under the guidelines applicants seeking tourism development must submit a detailed environmental management plan as part of a five-stage approval process, which also includes proving that the development will benefit the local community.

The guidelines follow the release of an independent report by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission which recommended "sensible and sensitive developments in national parks" as a measure to unlock Victorian tourism.*

Introducing the guidelines, Victorian Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith said Victoria had been missing out on opportunities and that the recommendations to stimulate and drive a new era of 'eco-tourism' in Victoria.

Minister Ryan stated "we're the only state in Australia not to allow sensitive development in our national parks, so we want to make sure that we can open up those natural assets for people to come and visit so they can enjoy them in a variety of different ways."

MInister Ryan suggested that tourists would flock to Victoria when new hotels and restaurants were built in the state's national parks adding that Victorians, as well as interstate and international visitors, will have greater opportunities to experience and appreciate the State's wonderful natural environment.

He added "Victoria's national parks are important public assets and, just as occurs in other states and territories, should be open to the public so they can be enjoyed in a responsible and sustainable way.

"The guidelines ... will provide strict environmental protections as part of a comprehensive approvals process.

"Proposals for major new tourism projects will require a detailed environmental management plan supported by an independent environmental risk assessment and auditing of the plan.

"There must also be proper community consultation and projects will be asked to generate a net public benefit for the community use of the park."

Minister Smith said the guidelines were an important step towards enabling appropriate investment to occur in regional Victoria, and enhancing tourism opportunities and supporting local economies, concluding "the more that people have access to their natural environment the more they will come to appreciate, respect and care for it."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said Victoria was competing with other states, the Northern Territory and New Zealand to gain market share in the lucrative eco-tourism sector, and needed to improve its offering to travellers to induce them to stay longer in regional Victoria.

Minister Asher explained "eco-tourism is an important driver of jobs and money for local communities, and as is the case with other iconic destinations such as the Cradle Mountain Huts, Wilpena Pound, Kingfisher Bay Lodge in Tasmania and Milford Sound Huts in New Zealand, they can co-exist with national parks and other natural areas."

The Victorian Government will be encouraging proposals that complement the values of national parks, broadened the appeal of our great natural assets and allowed more people to experience these unique places.

The Victorian Government has also agreed to exclude investment proposals in certain areas, such as wilderness parks, wilderness zones and remote and natural areas set out in the National Parks Act 1975 or reference areas under the Reference Areas Act 1978.

Approved tourism investment projects will be subject to lease conditions to ensure the values of national parks are not compromised. Legislation to enable the changes will be introduced into Parliament in the coming months.

However the National Parks Association of Victoria (NPAV) said it had no confidence in the guidelines.

NPAV Executive Director Matt Ruchel said the guidelines were vague and he was not confident they would ensure sensitive environmental values will be protected, stating

"this is a further step towards hanging a for sale sign on large parts of our national parks estate."

Ruchel said the association would continue its campaign to oppose commercial development, adding "these sorts of proposals to open up parks have been going on since the '60s.

"This is just another long line of trying to open the door to get development in parks.

"We'll continue our opposition and hopefully we'll get the government to see some sense."

The guidelines can be viewed at www.dse.vic.gov.au

Images: Point Nepean (top) and Wilsons Promontory (below).

24th August 2012 - PRIVATE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT TO BE ALLOWED IN VICTORIA’S NATIONAL PARKS