Central Highlands Council officers have recommended the approval of the Halls Island tourism development in Lake Malbena, despite receiving 1344 submissions against the proposal, and two in favour.
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In the report to council - to be considered at a special meeting in Bothwell on Tuesday - contract planner Jacqui Tyson found that the Reserve Activity Assessment approval mitigated most objections, while the council had "no scope" to reject the proposal on other grounds.
The proposal includes the construction of four huts on Halls Island and access via a maximum of 240 helicopter trips over 60 days to land on bedrock several hundred metres away from Lake Malbena.
A range of objections focused on the helicopter access, claiming it would reduce the wilderness value of the area, which sits within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, and areas within sight of the helicopter's path.
Ms Tyson found the helicopter part of the proposal had been approved by the Parks and Wildlife RAA process, and that Parks and Wildlife was "effectively the authority on this matter", meaning council did not have grounds to refuse.
"Given the Parks and Wildlife Service have already conditionally approved the helicopter usage under the RAA then it follows the use complies with the Acceptable Solution," she wrote.
"The conditional approvals under the RAA, by the Parks and Wildlife Service demonstrate that the use is acceptable under the Reserve Management Plan."
The RAA approval process has encountered criticism from opponents of the development, who claim its methodology is unknown.
The approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act was also relied upon for other aspects, as well as the ongoing management and maintenance of the site.
Ms Tyson wrote that the proposal has "necessary lease/licences to use the Crown Land".
"The proposed tour experience has been designed to display and share the World Heritage values and features of Halls Island and the surrounding area, and as such the location is integral to the proposal," she wrote.
The council had "no scope" to investigate matters including concerns at the privatisation of public land, restricted access to Halls Island, economic benefits and a broader negative impact.
The council meeting will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday at Bothwell Town Hall.
Wilderness values at heart of objections
Objectors feared the loss of wilderness values for the area and making a public area exclusive to those who could afford the package, which the proponent says will be about $4500 per person for three nights.
One objector said the noise from the helicopter would be harmful.
"The noise impact of these flights will result in noise emissions that would severely impact on the aesthetic values of the TWWHA which have been recognised as being of Outstanding Universal Value by UNESCO," the submission reads.
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre was also concerned about the engagement with the Aboriginal community over the proposal.
"Impact on wilderness character would come from the construction of new accommodation, increased human visits to the area, increased infrastructure maintenance activity, and the noise and distraction of helicopter flights," the submission reads.
“They claim to have the support of the aboriginal community, when in fact the Aboriginal community has stated its concerns about cultural tours involving Aboriginal sites."
The council responded by stating that tours of Aboriginal sites was not a part of the application.
A submission in favour of the proposal described it as "sensitive and sustainable low impact tourism".
'Holes' in report: Wilderness Society
The Wilderness Society Tasmania has urged Central Highlands councillors to reject the proposal, saying it was not uncommon for councils to go against officer recommendations.
Acting campaign manager Tom Allen said it was their belief that the proposal did not comply with the council's planning scheme.
"Many other local councils reject their planner's recommendation. Given the many holes and inconsistencies in this planner's report, councillors should do just that," he said.
"As the majority of opposing submissions make clear, with only two in favour, there is a much better way to do wilderness tourism in Tasmania.
"We need world-leading sustainable tourism that reflects the unique quality of our world heritage wilderness. To do anything less is to sell ourselves short."
The Wilderness Society has already lodged a Federal Court appeal against the approval process.