Private development push threatens Victoria's national parks
A draft report by the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission has recommended changes that would encourage private development of tourism infrastructure within national park boundaries. If implemented the Victorian National Parks Association believes these changes would have long-term consequences for the integrity of Victoria's park system, consequences that would be very difficult to reverse. You can get the full details from the VNPA submission to this report. The draft report, 'Unlocking Victorian Tourism', has made a number of recommendations that would allow private tourism operators and developers greater access to public land, including national parks. |
You can download a copy of the draft report from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission website or by phoning VCEC on (03) 9092 5800. |
The Commission wants to see regulatory barriers relaxed to allow 'sensitive' development of Victoria's natural environments for tourism purposes, and is seeking feedback on its recommendations.
Please write to Victorian Treasurer Kim Wells emphasising the importance of encouraging tourism development on private land, not within parks.
Points you could make in your letter are:
- National parks are primarily reserved to protect their natural values. For good reason they have been given the highest protection under state laws and fulfill Australia's obligations under international agreements.
- More than 60% of Victoria is privately owned land, with 80-90% of that cleared of native habitat. National parks and conservation reserves make up approximately 18% of the land in Victoria, and are a refuge for plants and animals in a state with relatively little intact native habitat left. State forest and other forms of Crown land make up the other 22%.
- Victoria has cleared far more of its natural areas than any other state in Australia, which makes it even more important to be vigilant in protecting our remaining natural areas.
- There are few remote natural places left in Victoria that are not accessible from private land within an hour's drive or less.
- Once private development gets into a park, any environmental conditions originally imposed on the lease can be reversed at a later date when the developer puts a case to improve commercial viability, or maximise visitor numbers etc.
- It is generally easier to set up private tourism infrastructure outside, and adjacent to, national parks. The Halls Gap village is a classic example. Here, park-compatible developments can take place without the constraints that must be imposed within national parks.
- National parks are already good for tourism. We are in danger of 'killing the goose that lays the golden egg' if we over develop them. Emphasis should be placed on encouraging tourism on private land, not within parks.
- We already have large tourism developments such as the Alpine resorts outside national parks. Many of the 'tourism' experiences can be facilitated by improved eco-tourism services such as tours rather than new large-scale infrastructure.
The treasurer's contact details are:
The Hon Kim Wells MLA, PO Box 4255, Knox City PO, Wantirna South, VIC 3152
Tel: 03 9764 8988 | Fax: 03 9763 9816 | Email: kim.wells@parliament.vic.gov.au
More information
Tourism facilities in national parks could kill 'golden goose'
You can download a copy of the draftreport from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission website or by phoning VCEC on (03) 9092 5800.