Ms BADGER question to MINISTER for PARKS and ENVIRONMENT, Mr DUIGAN
In 2014 when the Liberals first came to office, the first thing on the chopping block was the Parks and Environment budget. Scientists, rangers and parks maintenance were slashed. Last week, we raised that hundreds of kilometres of truly iconic Tasmanian walking tracks that have had zero maintenance for years despite being well used by thousands of walkers every year. They include the South Coast Track, the Port Davey Track, the Huon Track and the Labyrinth, just to name a few. It is fiscally and environmentally foolhardy to spend excessive amounts on the Tyndall Range’s next iconic walk when you cannot afford to maintain existing infrastructure or to pay Parks staff fairly.
Will you commit to fixing this gross funding shortfall? Can you also guarantee crucial funding for environmental monitoring and threatened species management, or will Parks also be investigating a vacancy control committee to further slash funding?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service manages a significant volume of routes and tracks across more than 800 reserves statewide. Tracks are managed in accordance with relevant classifications, as per the Parks and Wildlife Tracks Classification Scheme Policy and Australian Standards.
Hundreds of tracks right across Tasmania provide opportunities for people to choose a walk which is suited to their skills, experience and interest. Tracks range from W1, being accessible tracks such as Russell Falls and the Enchanted Walk at Cradle Mountain, to T4 walks, which are best described as remote, back-country walks. Some of the tracks the member mentioned in her question might fall into that category.
Different tracks require different management approaches and are prioritised each year by Parks based on the type of trail, impact from use, weather events, walker feedback, on track reviews and general maintenance requirements.
Tasmania continues to be a drawcard for people wanting to undertake world‑class experiences, including the Three Capes Track, which you mentioned, and the Overland Track, multi‑day offerings where funds from ticket sales are reinvested back into walks and maintain trails infrastructure.
T4 remote back-country walks are primarily managed for environmental values; that is, being kept as a natural –
Ms BURNET – Point of order, Speaker.
The SPEAKER – I will hear the point of order from the member for Clark.
Ms BURNET – Standing Order 45, relevance. The question was around funding.
The SPEAKER – Thank you. Minister, the question did identify the tracks and the concern of them being underfunded and the question is about committing to fixing that shortfall for environmental and threatened species. I will throw to you to answer the question.
Mr DUIGAN – Thank you, honourable Speaker. In terms of threatened species, I would point to the government’s substantial election commitment in that space: an $8 million fund identified to address our threatened species. That is a commitment the government will stand behind. There is a further $2.1 million for the Maugean skate recovery effort. Regarding track maintenance, I am advised that maintenance such as track clearing and servicing of toilets is routinely undertaken by Parks as required. Again, if there are specific concerns with sections of tracks, please reach out and let my office know.
