With the distraction of a looming election and on the eve of a long weekend, the Liberals dubiously released the draft Maria Island Management Plan. This deliberately shady act by the Liberals clearly shows their ongoing lack of respect for Tasmanians and our special places.
A Greens RTI revealed the draft Management Plan had been collecting dust on either the Minister or Departments desk since July 2024. When questioned by the Greens, the Minister previously stated that final changes to the draft would be done through his office and that “the key concern (and not a new one) is the large number of management actions in the plan and that their delivery is not possible within the budget for the park.”
It is extremely concerning to have key stakeholders get in touch with the Greens over the weekend to say they have not been contacted, let alone be part of the consultation process which helped to frame the draft plan.
Again, the Liberals are riding rough shot over good and proper process by ignoring the expert stakeholders through the drafting process of a critical statutory document and by inserting their own spin by means of Ministerial intervention to a Master Plan.
The Parks budget situation has not improved so the question must be asked if there have been preservation compromises made so the statutory plan fits the budget?
In March, when the Greens asked whether the Minister was looking for something to sell on the island, he responded “yes”. At this rate the Liberals could announce they are selling the whole island, and it would not come as a surprise.
Maria Island holds a special place in the hearts of many Tasmania’s, it is a critically important ecosystem for endangered species such as the 40 spotted pardalote and swift parrot and holds culturally significant values of Outstanding Universal Value. It deserves the utmost degree of conservation, proper planning and investment.
Tasmanians have been loud and clear. They have long lost confidence in this Liberal Government’s approach to managing Tasmania’s wild and culturally significant places. The Liberals have taken an axe to Tasmania’s special places and if there is a snap election Tasmanians will be voting not only for their future, but also the future of the places they love.
