The Federal Government’s determination that the State Liberals’ proposed luxury walk through the Tyndall Ranges does not need further approval under environment laws is a clear example of our failing Federal environment laws.
The Tyndalls should be protected, not stripped of its wild character for another high-end walk, when there are better, more cost efficient, alternatives. Both the State and Federal Governments have failed to properly protect this important wild place.
The Tyndall Range is an area of outstanding natural, geological and culture values. It should be protected as part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, not developed into a luxury walk, that everyday Tasmanians can’t afford, by the Liberal State Government.
This walk will lock up public land and charge Tasmanians a premium price to access it. There’s plenty of other natural tourism proposals the Liberals could pursue which don’t damage Tasmania’s unique landscape or restrict Tasmanian’s access.
Let’s get our priorities straight here. The Tyndall Range is public land of outstanding universal value, it should be accessible to the public. And Tasmanian households should not be financing the Liberals’ luxury walk, that majority of the community can’t afford to embark on.
We all want to see investment into our West Coast and our wild places, but to protect the values that makes them special, not exploit them and lock out the very community footing the bill.
The Liberals estimated their proposed walk in the Tyndalls would cost $40 million several years ago. Since then, the proposal design has been changed, and inflation has driven construction costs well into the wilderness.
With the state’s budget in such a mess, the Liberals need to be honest – what is the updated cost for this non-essential luxury walk? How much will this really cost Tasmanians?
