The Tasmanian Greens will be encouraging the community to make representations opposing a private, commercial zipline proposed on the slopes of Kunanyi, after the project was advertised for comment today.
Many have already expressed their dismay at another commercial project seeking to privatise parts of the mountain and its impact on the visitor amenity with built structures, noise, environmental and other impacts. The Aboriginal Community is on the record rejecting this proposal and, following the controversy of the cable car, we know many locals will be similarly opposed.
Kunanyi is a living Aboriginal cultural landscape and precious local reserve for recreation and solace, not a theme park.
This kind of private commercial development has no place in any of Tasmania’s parks and reserves, including Kunanyi.
At face value, the proposal is non-compliant with the management and planning rules applying to Kunanyi and should be rejected.
The publication of the zipline application again brings into sharp focus Minister Eric Abetz’s so-called strategic review for Kunanyi, a process that lacks independence and is clearly designed to pave the way for private commercial development on a beloved natural icon.
The Liberals have form in secretly weakening management rules to allow private commercial development in precious protected areas, just think Lake Malbena and the South Coast Track huts.
Minister Abetz’s review is all about paving the way for odious and rejected developments like the zipline and cable car.
