Tourism Infrastructure - where would it stop?

For almost three years there has been a working group considering commercial tourist infrastructure on or adjacent to the Protected Area Estate. During the three meetings held, representatives from the conservation movement have consistently opposed the use of National Parks or National Parks (Recovery) with perhaps an exception being made for Cape York.

Following the last of these meetings in November the Bligh Government announced that expressions of interest were to be called for a range of commercial enterprises on National Park land. National Park land is to be made available to private companies to build, manage and maintain safari tents/cabins. However, where will it stop?

All key groups in the conservation sector including but not limited to Wildlife Queensland, QCC, WWF, ARCS, NPAQ, Friends of the Earth and several regional conservation organisations is that they are unanimously opposed to any private investment in, or management of, tourism infrastructure on protected areas.  Concessions might be made on Cape York (only) to overcome problems associated with tenure, access and isolation.

National Parks in particular are the cornerstone of conservation for our biodiversity. Approved activities away from the principle objective cause concerns.  Already horse riding has been permitted and certain commercial activities are carried out under permit.  There are concerns that further expansion will set a precedent that will continue to escalate.  The conservation movement has fought hard and continues the fight for an appropriate protected area estate yet to be achieved in Queensland.

Queensland lags behind all other states with less than 5% protected. The Premier promised last year to add 4.3 million hectares during the next decade and that was welcomed. But where is the money – the $120M needed to achieve this. Tourism from recreational use of national parks is already a major income source for Queensland. Visitors come to view the natural beauty not infrastructure. Public national parks should not be for private gain.

 Protected Area Estate, in particular National Parks, must be managed and operated primarily for the benefit of conservation and biodiversity protection.  Further expansion of commercial operations on National Parks has the potential to put this at risk.

Wildlife Queensland has expressed these views to the Hon Anna Bligh, Premier, Hon Kate Jones, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability and Hon Peter Lawlor, Minister for Fair Trading and Tourism.  There have been radio interviews and coverage in the press. Many other conservation organisations have also been vocal but more noise is required. Let your voice be heard.

Write to the Premier, Hon Kate Jones, Hon Peter Lawlor and your local member expressing your views. Overseas, interstate and even Queensland experience clearly demonstrates that this is one additional challenge our National Parks do not need.

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Wildlife Queensland © December 2009