The KPMG economic report released this month, commissioned by the Australian Greens, includes the Three Capes track as an example of the benefits flowing from the Inter-Governmental Agreement on forestry.

Greens Tourism and Treasury spokesman Tim Morris said yesterday that there were alternative track routes that would be less intrusive in the national park and less costly.

``This is the only economic report on this track. There is no other,'' Mr Morris said.

``I think the study oversells the benefits of the track. It is overly optimistic in terms of the benefits.

``There is an alternative to the track . . . upgrading existing tracks for less expense.

``As long as tourism does not diminish the values we still support the idea of having better bushwalking opportunities in the Tasman area.''

Mr Morris said national parks were there to protect the environment, while tourism was a secondary consideration.

This follows Mr Morris's comments last year when he said $12.5 million in federal money earmarked for the Three Capes track should be diverted to other more urgent walking track work in the state.

``We don't support money being spent on the creation of the Three Capes walking track when we have 15,000 kilometres of walking track already in existence, much of which needs urgent attention,'' Mr Morris said at the time.

A spokesman for Deputy Australian Greens leader Senator Christine Milne said there were alternative proposals in the Tasman area.

The Greens were not trying to exclude bushwalkers from the tracks, the spokesman said.

The track is a six-day coastal walk from near Nubeena to Fortescue Bay.

The state and federal governments are contributing more than $12 million each and the private sector $7.8 million.

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