Why can’t wilderness just be sacred… LAKE MALBENA!

[BarryJ]

A third speech from the Reclaim Malbena event:

Brett Smith (founding member of Fishers and Walkers Against Helicopter Access on Facebook)

[BarryJ]

From the Fishers and Walkers Against Helicopter Access Tasmania Facebook page:😢

“The recent “Towards a Tourism master plan” (that isn’t a plan) is full of quotes from the heroes of our wild places. The late Peter Dombrovski and Olegas Truchanas. Now their partners have called out the mis use of their late husbands words.

This lot would put their quotes on the side of the helicopters if they could. This is what happens when the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and Parks unite to sell out the places that have defined this State for decades.”

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[BarryJ]

Also from FAWAHA:

Updated. Parks has apologised and removed the quotes from the pioneers of our parks from their tourism document.

Now they can right the other wrong (s). Tear up the lease for Halls Island and get out of bed with the TICT.

[PT48]

Thank you once again Barry. This is a truly shameful situation but at least it is provoking some sharp rebukes in the media.

[BarryJ]

More from FAWAHA:

“This is extraordinary. The proponent of the Lake Malbena helicopter tourism proposal made a public submission to the World Heritage Area management plan in 2015. They strongly opposed proposed helicopter landings at nearby Lake Ina. Why? Because of the “strong negative effect”, “ease of foot access” and the area “being enjoyed by recreational users” as well as “the wilderness setting” and the “threat to their business operations”. There really is only one choice. Withdraw from the EOI and hand back the lease. Even if parks get $2 they’ll double their money.”

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[BarryJ]

Update from Tasmanian National Parks Association regarding their appeal to the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal (RMPAT) re the Malbena Project:

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[Greg French]

I have just received photographic proof of two new tracks having been cut with chainsaws in the Western Lakes Wilderness zone.

One leads from the shore of Malbena to Kita Lake (a specified destination in Wild Drake’s original RAA application).

The other leads from Eagle Lake to Lake Norman. This route is not specified in Wild Drake’s proposal, but the track only makes sense in the context of the Malbena development: you can easily take Wild Drake’s drift boat from Malbena into Eagle Lake, and taking clients on a short walk up the rise to Norman makes a lot more (practical) sense than the proposed cutting of track to the top of Mt Oana (as outlined in the RAA).

The photos show that the tracks were cut in the last six to ten months, which more or less coincides with the air-drop of the drift boat. In any case, it is difficult to imagine that anyone other than those associated with Wild Drake would cut tracks that lead only to and from Malbena. Anyone else would be forced to carry a chainsaw all the way from the TWWHA boundary, and that would make no sense. It would also be unprecedented in modern times.

The cutting of these tracks is illegal – even under Hodgman’s revised (2016) TWWHA Management Plan – and questions will be asked of the PWS. If anyone has any more information, I’d love to hear from you.

[BarryJ]

😡😡😡😡😡😡

Thanks for the heads-up Greg. Apart from the fact that this track building is illegal, is it possible to use it to oppose approval of the process on environmental grounds by Susan Ley. Surely it exhibits environmental vandalism at its worst and demonstrates that the proponents are unlikely to adhere to any conditions imposed on the project.

[jimmyellenberger]

Good Grief!  I am seriously struggling to understand how it is, that Parks and Wildlife are not going after whoever cut these terribly convenient tracks. Is this really the same crowd that put all sorts of obstacles up prior to the walk into Malbena based on potential environmental damage by the walkers? There must be some real and justified angst within the ranks of the PWS, as there are clearly some within the organisation actively supporting this proposal either by choice or direction. All of it taking place to the detriment of a World Heritage Area. Its mind boggling…

Wild Drake seem just brimming with confidence bordering on arrogance. A bit of hubris would be useful about now.

Thanks again to Greg for the heads up, discouraging as it may be.

Regards…Jimmy

[PT48]

An act of absolute contempt.

[BarryJ]

Pic of boat plus pics of track clearing:

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[Mark Cloutier]

Thanks Greg and all,

Just a question – isn’t this a likely to be a breach of the 3rd dot point in the RMPAT decision (if this proposal actually gets off the ground)? And what can be done in the future – aren’t Wild Drake restricted to the island & lake? The practicality of policing this restriction (and others) might be difficult but if its breached then what?

[flylife]

Parks are more worried about protestors footprints and photographers drone intrusions. But we are only making assumptions about who caused the damage. Maybe it was the flora survey? 🤔

[flylife]

Taking specimens of rare plants for ID that is… 😂

[Johnrs]

This is Tasmania. It’s a close knit community.

Somebody knows who has done this and will eventually start talking………..

John

[Author]

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