Not all Tasmanian residents are pleased with the federal government’s announcement to gift the HMAS Darwin to Tasmania.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Navy vessel will likely be scuttled as a dive wreck off the state’s East Coast.
However, North East Bioregional Network president Todd Dudley said the ship should instead be recycled for scrap metal.
“As we have said for many years, Skeleton Bay is a beautiful pristine body of water that deserves protection from inappropriate development,” he said.
“There are already a large number of tourists visiting the Bay of Fires area including Skeleton Bay to enjoy its relatively undeveloped natural beauty. As such we don’t need artificial fake tourism attractions.”
Mr Dudley said the scuttling of the ship would cost in excess of $6 million.
“This is an outrageous waste of money that could be better spent on maintaining and restoring the natural environment of Tasmania.
“It is no longer acceptable to use the ocean as a dumping ground for redundant navy ships or other waste. Such actions demonstrate a lack of respect for the marine environment.”
RELATED STORIES:
St Helens Chamber of Commerce president and dive operator Peter Paulsen said he had lived in the region for close to 40 years, and was very aware of the magnificence of the region.
”To get [the HMAS Darwin wreck] to the level of being spotlessly clean and having no environmental impact, it costs money,” he said.
“Beyond that, that’s it. Once it’s on the bottom, you don’t want to touch it again. There’s no maintenance factor here.”
Mr Paulsen said the dive wreck would act like a national park.
“Everyone at the wreck would pay as fee, as you would when you enter a national park,” he said.
“Over time, that money comes back into the system. There is a positive financial outcome for this thing built into the system right from the get-go.”
He said the wreck would also have the benefit of becoming a habitat for fish.
“The day after the Darwin hits the bottom, the sun is still going to come up, the beaches are still going to look the same, the water clarity is going to be just as clear. The only difference is that we now have a giant fish habitat, with thousands of fish looking for a new home.”
Mr Dudley said the battle to stop the scuttling of the ship “was not over”.
While you're with us, did you know that you can now sign up to receive breaking news updates direct to your inbox. Sign up here.