A proposed eco-tourism venture for Lake Malbena in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area faces another legal battle.
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The venture, by proponent Wild Drake, would see a standing camp and helicopter landing area constructed on Halls Island, Lake Malbena.
A Supreme Court ruling on July 6 which upheld a previous decision by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal to grant planning permission for the proposal is being jointly challenged the Wilderness Society Tasmania, the Tasmanian National Parks Association and two individuals in a new appeal to the Full Court.
Wilderness Society Tasmania campaign manager Tom Allen said the joint parties would be arguing the court made a number of legal errors in reaching its decision earlier this month.
"[These include] holding that the tribunal did not have the jurisdiction to assess the proposal against the TWWHA Management Plan 2016, and in the construction of the relevant provision of the Central Highlands Interim Planning Scheme," Mr Allen said.
"What this means is that the court left hanging how the Wild Drake proposal should relate to the TWWHA management plan and what, precisely, is the role of the Parks and Wildlife Service Reserve Activity Assessment.
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"We did not take this significant step lightly but did so because it defends the TWWHA from inappropriate development proposals like that for Lake Malbena and the 30 or so more in the tourism EOI pipeline.
"Tasmania's world heritage listed national parks are for people and nature, not profits, privatisation, developers and choppers."
The Environmental Defenders Office is representing the parties in their appeal.
EDO managing lawyer in Hobart Nicole Sommer said the case was an important test of how tourism development proposals in Tasmania's wilderness areas should be assessed and approved
"If the tribunal's decision is not overturned by the Full Court, it will limit what planning authorities can assess in determining whether they can grant a permit to a private development in a national park or reserve and limit the public's right to have their say on those proposals and have them independently assessed on their merits," Ms Sommer said.
"Our clients are asking the Full Court of the Supreme Court to review the legal basis for the tribunal's decision which, in our opinion, was flawed."
Wild Drake operator Daniel Hackett said the appeal did not come as a surprise.
"In recent media commentary, the Wilderness Society stated that they will not respect the outcomes of any court judgement or independent assessment relating to the project," Mr Hackett said.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the proposal's opponents had been throwing mud at the development since day one.
"They don't accept the due process they argue for," Mr Martin said.
"There is a role for commercial operators in these protected areas."
Environment Minister Roger Jaensch said Wild Drake had met every requirement put in front of them.
"We need to give people the chance to progress their ideas if they have passed all the requirements put in front of them and Malbena is no exception," Mr Jaensch said.
He said it was unfortunate opponents would continue to frustrate this project.
But Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said the development was a travesty of proper process which would degrade wilderness values.
"The Liberals signed away Halls Island inside the TWWHA for a steal in a move that would shut out Tasmanians who've been visiting Lake Malbena for decades," Ms O'Connor said.
"They underestimate the determination of opponents of this development, and they do so at their political peril."