Assessment Ignores Tyndalls’ Values 

With its endemic sub-alpine flora, incredible geology and glacial features, the Tyndalls is an area of Outstanding Universal Value that has been long earmarked for future protection as part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Ecologists, recreational users, conservationists and members of Parliament have been raising the alarm about the irreparable impact this development will have on the area’s natural values.

Despite the Liberals’ claims of a “rigorous evaluation”, the Parks and Wildlife’s Environmental Assessment Report leaves the community and environment left wanting. It’s unsurprising from a government who have consistently failed to acknowledge the effect of this walk will have on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and the region’s future potential for inclusion with the World Heritage Site.

While the flow on impacts of the exclusive paid walk will have on the sensitive alpine Tyndall Plateau were noted, the report clearly stated that the zero mitigation measures were presented to address the issues. When the walk is going to increase visitation to such a significant high conservation value area, to have no plan how to manage its impact is straight up negligent.

Managing increased visitation will cost more from Tasmania’s flailing budget, and still the true costs of this $40 million+ vanity project haven’t been made public. This is another reckless decision from the Liberal Government who have consistently faced international criticism and shame for their destructive exclusive tourism development agenda that’s privatising and eroding some of this planet’s most significant wild places and public land.

And so the perpetual question lingers over the Tyndalls walk remains – where is the proof the walk will be constructed for $40 million? And how will it provide Tasmanian taxpayers a return when Three Capes hasn’t? Show us the money.

The Tyndalls Range is globally significant in its natural values. It should be protected as part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, not destroyed by an exclusive tourism development.