LABOR has thrown its support behind a push to allow tourism ventures in untouched parts of Tasmania's World Heritage Area, but warned the state government to tread carefully. But the Greens and conservation groups say the plan abandons the concept of wilderness and could damage the state's reputation. The government plans to rezone the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, reclassifying wilderness areas as remote recreational zones. The shift would allow development of low-scale tourism ventures including huts and basic accommodation. The plan paves the way for greater air and water access, while also allowing for select specialty species timber logging. Environment Minister Matthew Groom is confident the blueprint strikes the right balance. "It's about genuinely respecting our cultural and natural values in these areas of extraordinary beauty," Mr Groom said. "But it's doing so in a way which allows us to experience those areas, celebrate their extraordinary values, and share them with the world." Mr Groom played down reference to logging in the draft plan, saying harvesting of some speciality species timber inside the area was already permitted under legislation. "Under existing law there's a small number of regional conservation reserves where under very limited circumstances there's a capacity to access specialist timber, but there's no change under this new plan," he said. Labor environment spokesman Craig Farrell said the party supported boosting visitor numbers and experiences inside the area. "Greater access and sensible, appropriate tourism projects have Labor's backing," Mr Farrell said. "The pressure is now on the Liberal Government to get this right." But Greens parks spokesman Nick McKim claimed the draft plan was the biggest threat to Tasmanian wilderness values for a generation. "Tragically the Liberals see our world class wilderness as something to be profited from rather than protected for all of humanity," Mr McKim said. "They want to sell off Tasmania's great natural treasure for nothing more than trinkets." Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone was among members of five environment groups speaking out against the proposed changes yesterday, questioning the economic benefits. "There are record numbers of tourists coming to Tasmania and a massive increase in numbers visiting national parks ... so there seems to be no good economic reason for making it easier to build new attractions," Mr McGlone said. The groups have promised to fight the changes, which have the support of the tourism industry. Public consultation for the plan begins on Monday and will run until March 22.
LABOR has thrown its support behind a push to allow tourism ventures in untouched parts of Tasmania's World Heritage Area, but warned the state government to tread carefully.
But the Greens and conservation groups say the plan abandons the concept of wilderness and could damage the state's reputation.
The government plans to rezone the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, reclassifying wilderness areas as remote recreational zones.
The shift would allow development of low-scale tourism ventures including huts and basic accommodation.
The plan paves the way for greater air and water access, while also allowing for select specialty species timber logging.
Environment Minister Matthew Groom is confident the blueprint strikes the right balance.
"It's about genuinely respecting our cultural and natural values in these areas of extraordinary beauty," Mr Groom said.
"But it's doing so in a way which allows us to experience those areas, celebrate their extraordinary values, and share them with the world."
Mr Groom played down reference to logging in the draft plan, saying harvesting of some speciality species timber inside the area was already permitted under legislation.
"Under existing law there's a small number of regional conservation reserves where under very limited circumstances there's a capacity to access specialist timber, but there's no change under this new plan," he said.
Labor environment spokesman Craig Farrell said the party supported boosting visitor numbers and experiences inside the area.
"Greater access and sensible, appropriate tourism projects have Labor's backing," Mr Farrell said.
"The pressure is now on the Liberal Government to get this right."
But Greens parks spokesman Nick McKim claimed the draft plan was the biggest threat to Tasmanian wilderness values for a generation.
"Tragically the Liberals see our world class wilderness as something to be profited from rather than protected for all of humanity," Mr McKim said.
"They want to sell off Tasmania's great natural treasure for nothing more than trinkets."
Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone was among members of five environment groups speaking out against the proposed changes yesterday, questioning the economic benefits.
"There are record numbers of tourists coming to Tasmania and a massive increase in numbers visiting national parks ... so there seems to be no good economic reason for making it easier to build new attractions," Mr McGlone said.
The groups have promised to fight the changes, which have the support of the tourism industry.
Public consultation for the plan begins on Monday and will run until March 22.
