A contentious program for tourism proposals in Tasmanian parks, reserves and Crown land has gained the attention of the state's independent audit agency.
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The Tasmanian Audit Office on Thursday updated its website with details of two new "in progress" performance and compliance audits flagged in its annual work plan.
One audit will look into the expression of interest process, which has seen dozens of tourism pitches in protected land since being launched in the wake of the Hodgman government's 2014 election win. Another will cover the state's information and communications technology strategy.
An Audit Planning Memorandum notes the probe is intended to "assess the effectiveness" of the EOI process to achieve development and "appropriate" tourism experiences from private operators.
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The program, a key pillar of the government's tourism push, has come under sustained criticism from the Greens and environmental groups for what they say is a lack of transparency.
The audit will determine if there is effective coordination of submissions and a "clearly defined separation" of duties and personnel in assessment and approval functions. It will be finalised by June 2020.
It's scope will include the State Growth Department and the Office of the Co-Ordinator-General. The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment - including the Parks and Wildlife Service - will also be included.
The audit will also look at the regard given to other relevant processes - such as management plans and guidelines - along with the extent and implementation of legal advice provided to the government by both the Solicitor-General and Crown.
Emails released under right to information in February showed the state government had rezoned Halls Island under the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area management plan because a proposal was received.
That proposed luxury helicopter-accessed accommodation is now the subject of legal battles in both the state planning tribunal and Federal Court.
Tourism developments outside of the program, those approved before its first round began, and Crown land approvals before the start of the rolling second round in December 2016 will sit outside the audit's scope.
Tasmanian Greens leader and parks spokesperson Cassy O'Connor welcomed a review of the "secretive" EOI process.
"It's past time for some independent scrutiny and transparency," she said. "Our wilderness, world heritage area and reserved land are protected for their natural and cultural values."
"Those values are being exploited so corporate interests can profit."
The state government was contacted for comment.
Overseen by the state's Co-ordinator-General, proposal are assessed by an EOI program panel before recommendations are made back to the State Growth Minister - who makes all final decisions.
Proponents are then invited to enter lease and licence negotiations and relevant statutory approvals under state or federal law.
Thirty projects are listed on the Co-ordinator-General's website as having progressed to the negotiation stage or beyond. Nine are operational.
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