Luxury camp inside Walls of Jerusalem WHA with heli access

[johnrs]

More details on the Supreme Court hearing from the Tassie Environmental Defenders Office
Environmental Defenders Office, acting on behalf of The Wilderness Society (Tasmania), the Tasmanian National Parks Association and two individuals has filed an appeal in the Tasmanian Supreme Court against the decision of the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal to issue a permit in December 2019 for the Lake Malbena tourist development in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
“Our clients are appealing against the permit issued by the Tribunal for helicopter-accessed visitor accommodation in a World Heritage wilderness area in central Tasmania”, said Nicole Sommer, EDO Managing Lawyer, Hobart.
More here on EDO legal actions concerning the Lake Malbena proposal.

“The appeal is on two grounds. We will argue that the Tribunal made an error of law in its interpretation of the planning scheme in finding that it could rely on the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife’s Reserve Activity Assessment for the proposal instead of undertaking its own assessment against the reserve management plan for the TWWHA.
“We will also argue that the Tribunal should not have relied on the Reserve Activity Assessment for the proposed development because it was defective.”
An appeal in the Supreme Court can only be taken on a question of law arising from the Tribunal’s decision.
https://www.edo.org.au/2020/01/14/supre ... e-malbena/

John

[gayet]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-29/documents-show-cost-of-rent-for-lake-malbena-camp/11907962

Some details of the lease costs

[MrWalker]

Since $4000 a year seems to be the going rate for islands in World Heritage Areas, I'm thinking of putting in an offer to get exclusive use of Scotts Peak. I could paddle over there a few times a year and have it all to myself. And when I wasn't going to be there, I could let a few others in for about $500 a day.

Actually on reading the contract again, I think it is only $1000/year for an unimproved island, so since I don't plan to build on Scotts Peak, that would be a fair rate.

[stepbystep]

Hackett has only released this because the RTI was coming into effect, he and DPIPWE have no interest in transparency.

Apart from the obscenity of the low ‘rent’, the duplicitous behaviour of the government through the offices of the Coordinator General and the Attorney General is a slap in the face to every Tasmanian. The corruption of the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service has destroyed their reputation as custodian of our wilderness, and let’s not forget that this secretive farce was all about locking ordinary anglers and bushwalkers out of their special place. Shame on all of them. Tear up the EOI sham and learn some respect for the land and it’s people!

[bushwalker zane]

I paid much more than that on rent last year. And that was for a pretty rubbish little place in a complex. I sure wish I could have some super high conservation value public land all to myself at such a low rate!

Here's the link to write a letter to the editor of the Examiner. Put in a submission! Let people know how grumpy we all are!
https://www.examiner.com.au/comment/send-a-letter-to-the-editor/

[lefroy]

http://hallsisland.com.au/rti/

Here is where all new documents can be found, even an email address so that you can write to the Hackett's to let them know how grumpy you are too...

[johnrs]

Surely this whole process has been corrupt?
John

[johnrs]

More details here
Tasmanian National Parks Association
42 mins ·
The following EDO media release explains the real reason Lk Malbena proponent Daniel Hackett has suddenly embraced transparency (in his terms) after 657 days of obstruction - his lease was about to be released anyway.
Environmental Defenders Office Media Release
29 January 2020
OMBUDSMAN INSTRUCTS DPIWE TO RELEASE HALLS ISLAND LEASE
The Halls Island lease was released on instruction by the Ombudsman after extensive reviews and obstruction by the Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment (DPIPWE).
Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) acts for the individual seeking access to the Halls Island leases from DPIPWE. It has taken him 657 days to obtain copies of the Halls Island leases through Right to Information.
EDO Managing Lawyer, Nicole Sommer said:
“Our client was notified by DPIPWE on Tuesday that it had “been instructed” to release the lease documents in full. The decision of the Ombudsman shows DPIPWE withheld the lease and rents charged with no good reason and at substantial delay - 657 days after the leases were first requested. Without the Ombudsman, these leases might never have seen the light of day.
“The proponent said he released the leases in the interests of transparency. However, DPIPWE was required to release the leases by the Ombudsman and did so on the same day that the proponent released them.
“The leases show that the rent being paid for Halls Island is $1000 until development is completed, then $4000, with a $1 licence fee. This is how much you might expect to lease degraded rural land in the Central Highlands. It in no way reflects the value of the lease itself to the proponent, or the inherent values of the property.
“There is no way that the rental valuation included the true value of this public land. The right to develop our World Heritage Area has been given away for a song, at the same rate you might rent a vacant block of disused rural land in the Central Highlands. It’s inherently wrong.
“We call on the government to release the valuation methodology used for this lease. In every other State there is transparency over how public land is valued – not here. If the government has a good record on this, they should simply show us how they come up with the $1000 and $4000 figures.
“This is important not just for the Lake Malbena proposal, but for the 17 other leases in negotiation under the EOI process, including the South Coast Huts, the Walls of Jerusalem Huts and the Bruny Lighthouse, and for other proposed leases like the Treasury building. This is public land, with inherent public values – we all deserve to know what is going on.”
Background to release of leases:
• 11 April 2018 – RTI 044 for Halls Island Lease / Licence conditions accepted by DPIPWE (0 days)
• 13 September 2018 – RTI 044 70 working days overdue, contacted Ombudsman to request review (155 days)
• 17 September 2018 – Ombudsman accepts request on basis of DPIPWE ‘deemed refusal’ (159 days)
• 27 September 2018 – DPIPWE release limited information –majority of information sought refused on basis of commercial in confidence / contrary to public interest to release. (169 days)
• 16 October 2018 – Applied to DPIPWE internal review of decision not to release lease / licence information (188 days)
• 13 November 2018 – Applied to Ombudsman for review of department’s refusal to release internal review within 15-day window (216 days)
• 16 November 2018 – DPIPWE release internal review, confirming decision not to release information on lease on grounds of commercial-in-confidence / contrary to public interest to release (219 days)
• 16 November 2018 – Initiate external review of DPIPWE decision not to release information with Ombudsman’s office (219 days)
• November 2018 –October 2019 – exchange approximately 50 emails with ombudsman’s office regarding progress with review.
• 16 October 2019 – Write to Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Integrity to raise concern about length of time taken for the Ombudsman’s office to finalise matter (553 days)
• 2 December 2019 – Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Integrity consider matter (600 days)
• 16 December 2019 – Ombudsman office signs preliminary decision that is adverse to DPIPWE. DPIPWE have 20 days to respond (614 days)
• 21 Jan 2020 – DPIPWE make submission to ombudsman’s office (650 days)
• 28 Jan 2020 – DPIPWE instructed to release lease and licence in full by Ombudsman (657 days since initial RTI enquiry lodged)
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole Sommer Nicole.sommer@edotas.org.au
T: +61 3 6223 2770 M: 0437 284 909
Anthony Gough anthony@edoqld.org.au
0432 973 443

[iaindtiler]

From the ABC article today ;

Mr Hackett said he would like to challenge groups such as the Wilderness Society to be as transparent as Wild Drake.

"To tell us who their financial and political backers are, be open and transparent," he said.

"They're spending a lot of money on legal fees right now and pursuing us through the various courts and tribunals and I think it's only fair that the public knows who's funding them.

What a joke. How about Hackett tells us all who is backing him instead of those people hiding behind non identified share holders. And which politicians promised what and did what for him. He says he wants to be transparent, so let's start with this information. And for the record Hackett, I donated to WS and EDO . Transparency!!

[Paul]

And for your information / transparency Mr Hackett ( I'm sure you view this site ), I also donated to EDO. As have numerous other people who sincerely care about World Heritage Land and National Parks in Tasmania - it's not about the almighty Dollar to us, like it is to you Mr Hackett.

And if you are at all serious about transparency Mr Hacett, you will reveal who is backing you financially, who are the hidden shareholders of Wild Drake P/L and which member(s) of parliament have supported your proposal.

I look forward to you revealing this information.

Paul.

[north-north-west]

Mr Hackett said he would like to challenge groups such as the Wilderness Society to be as transparent as Wild Drake.

So we're now encouraged to hide behind shell companies, and corrupt the state's politicians. OK . . .

[stepbystep]

There will be a "Reclaim Malbena Update" information evening co-hosted by the Fishers and Walkers Against Helicopter Access group and The Wilderness Society on February 12 between 6 and 8 pm in Hobart at a venue TBA.

Malbena update on
> Halls Island rent scandal
> Supreme Court appeal
> What you can do to keep Tassie wild

Update from the horse's mouth. Those horses are:
> Greg French, fly-fishing legend
> Guides for the Wild Association
> Leanne Minshull, The Australia Institute Tasmania
> Tom Allen, Wilderness Society Tasmania
> Tourism operators
> Dan Broun, Fishers & Walkers Against Helicopter Access Tasmania
> The Greens

There will be opportunities to ask questions, give suggestions and to get involved.
Before you say "What about those of us in the north" - a major agenda item will be a large event we are planning in the sunny north. We need bushwalkers to get active on this, we have them on the run and we want to keep tripping them up. This is ours to win but if we don't turn up, you know what'll happen.

In the meantime to stay up to date with what's evolving, join and share this FB group https://www.facebook.com/FAWAHATas/?eid ... inOQlQh3oj and follow and interact with this twitter handle https://twitter.com/AndFishers

Thanks all, Dan.

[stepbystep]

There will be a "Reclaim Malbena Update" information evening co-hosted by the Fishers and Walkers Against Helicopter Access group and The Wilderness Society on February 12 between 6 and 8 pm in Hobart at a venue TBA.

Malbena update on
> Halls Island rent scandal
> Supreme Court appeal
> What you can do to keep Tassie wild

Update from the horse's mouth. Those horses are:
> Greg French, fly-fishing legend
> Guides for the Wild Association
> Leanne Minshull, The Australia Institute Tasmania
> Tom Allen, Wilderness Society Tasmania
> Tourism operators
> Dan Broun, Fishers & Walkers Against Helicopter Access Tasmania
> The Greens

There will be opportunities to ask questions, give suggestions and to get involved.
Before you say "What about those of us in the north" - a major agenda item will be a large event we are planning in the sunny north. We need bushwalkers to get active on this, we have them on the run and we want to keep tripping them up. This is ours to win but if we don't turn up, you know what'll happen.

In the meantime to stay up to date with what's evolving, join and share this FB group https://www.facebook.com/FAWAHATas/?eid ... inOQlQh3oj and follow and interact with this twitter handle https://twitter.com/AndFishers

Thanks all, Dan.

This event is confirmed for February 12 at Wild Island in Hobart 6 - 8pm. Please come along.

[Lophophaps]

ABC reports on Halls Island
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-22/ ... s/11983556

[taswegian]

I watched the TV and was somewhat bemused by Mr Hackett claiming this to be a way to educate the people on the need to look after our wilderness and commenting on our wilderness whilst burning fossil fuel to do such.
His logic counters itself.
Much of what I've read on him seems a contradiction within in his own actions and philosophies

[Son of a Beach]

But he's a conservationist!

[Lophophaps]

I'm a developer, and wish to develop the WHA and other places like this for activities compatible with the WHA aims. To this end, I propose that except for an emergency, all access shall be on foot. Portable demountable accommodation known as tents shall be allowed nearly anywhere. This accommodation shall be fully air-conditioned and heated by a natural system called weather. Cooking shall be with gas, shellite, meths or similar on stoves that weigh under a kilogram. The ROI (return on investment) is significant. Anyone interested in the above who wishes to invest is invited to take a walk at any time. I may see you there.

[north-north-west]

His motion-sensor cameras have been stolen, small logs have been sawn to make a track and someone has damaged the door to the ramshackle, historic hut built by the national park's founder Reg Hall.
Hackett believes people opposed to his plans to fly tourists to the site by helicopter are responsible for the vandalism.

Well, he would say that, wouldn't he?
Not that I'm pointing fingers, but if ever there was a case where it would be rational to suspect a false flag attack, surely this is it. No-one in FAWAHA would be cutting tracks from Malbena to Kita and Eagle. That would only benefit fishers. Or developers.

As for the area around Malbena not being "pristine" because people have been visiting for decades - there's a faint unmarked pad between Loretta and Malbena and no other obvious sign of visitors. And even if there were more obvious signs around the lake, that doesn't justify building on Halls.

Plus all the other contradictions and insinuating rhetoric. It's always "ideology" when we want to stop development or protect the wilderness. But the "development is essential" mantra is somehow not ideological.

[bax67]

No-one in FAWAHA would be cutting tracks from Malbena to Kita and Eagle. That would only benefit fishers. Or developers.

We've just returned from a week walking and packrafting around the area and discovered a cairned and heavily cut track between Pogana and Rotuli. Where we landed on Pogana had been widely cut. Looking at the regrowth on the cut trees it was done 6-12 months ago.

I don't believe this was done by individual bushwalkers. It would only benefit someone planning on walking this route repeatedly, and landing multiple rafts.

I've contacted Great Western Tiers field office and am waiting to hear back, and am going to lodge a report with Parks and send copies to the Minister as well. Any thoughts on who else to notify?

[Mechanic-AL]

Maybe the Enviromental Defenders Organization could be interested in knowing if anything dodgy has been going on in that area ?

email; edotas@edotas.org.au

[johnrs]

Heh Bax 67
Let the the FAWAHA people know too.
I am heading down there in March
I might PM you for some more information
John

[Son of a Beach]

Heh Bax 67
Let the the FAWAHA people know too.
I am heading down there in March
I might PM you for some more information
John

I second this. If you see anything dodgy out bush, let FAWAHA know. I believe they are trying to keep a record of all the odd happenings out there, so that they can try to see which may be related to each other and build a bigger picture.

[JulianS]

ABC reports on Halls Island
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-22/ ... s/11983556

First comment on this issue, which has come to my attention a lot later than for most (being from Vic).

Have to say - pretty disappointing article from the ABC. Proprietor gets the first and last word. And you can just imagine how the photos went down... 'we need you to kneel down with cupped hands around something fragile-looking... you know - to emphasise how you're a "conservationist"'.

In any case, I hope this gets more traction at a national level. I think most Australians would be appalled by the $6k/year rent.

[stepbystep]

Heh Bax 67
Let the the FAWAHA people know too.
I am heading down there in March
I might PM you for some more information
John

I second this. If you see anything dodgy out bush, let FAWAHA know. I believe they are trying to keep a record of all the odd happenings out there, so that they can try to see which may be related to each other and build a bigger picture.

Speaking of odd happenings out in the bush....check this out! Our future in Tasmania?

https://tasmaniantimes.com/2020/03/wild ... 5l1h59k1SA

[zorro]

Thanks to Tas parks and the government, there won't be much left to enjoy. Cradle Mtn and the OT are already screwed beyond repair. I wish you greedy imbeciles would stop catering to the spoon fed priveliged tissue tossers that have consistently ruined it for everyone else.
Personally Tas has been off my list for years.

[north-north-west]

Thanks to Tas parks and the government, there won't be much left to enjoy. Cradle Mtn and the OT are already screwed beyond repair. I wish you greedy imbeciles would stop catering to the spoon fed priveliged tissue tossers that have consistently ruined it for everyone else.
Personally Tas has been off my list for years.

Believe it or not, there is far more to Tassie than Cradle, the Overland and Freycinet. But if you don't want to come because of a few problematic developments, fine. Leaves more unspoiled space for the rest of us.

[peregrinator]

I'm surprised this has not yet been mentioned here. Title of the item says a lot: 'No fast track for dodgy developers.'

See http://www.tasconservation.org.au/major-projects

Very broad ramifications, not just for the environment, but for the concept of democracy in the increasingly authoritarian state/s.

[Markus]

I'm surprised this has not yet been mentioned here. Title of the item says a lot: 'No fast track for dodgy developers.'

See http://www.tasconservation.org.au/major-projects

Very broad ramifications, not just for the environment, but for the concept of democracy in the increasingly authoritarian state/s.

Thanks peregrinator, was just about to link the same.

The Major Projects Bill gives the minister total power to declare a major project which removes it from the normal local council planning process. The Tasmanian Planning Commission ‘may’ produce guidelines but even if they do the minister only has to “have regard to” them and doesn’t have to follow them.

This greatly reduces the options for community consultation, and the community will have no right to appeal. Also, any project that has previously been refused by council or the Planning Appeals Tribunal could be subsequently declared a major project. I support new developments when proven to be environmentally sustainable, economically viable and of benefit to the community as a whole, provided there is a transparent and inclusive approvals process.

So, I'd urge as many people as possible to make a submission by the closing date 15th of May. Depending on your available time, there is the option of drafting your own submission, using the points provided by the TCT, or simply leaving the submission box blank and the TCT will send a pro-forma on your behalf.

[stepbystep]

Thanks for linking to this. The planning matters group along with the TCT and other groups that specialise in planning policy have been very vocal on the damage the Major Projects bill could cause.

Should that bill go through parliament Tasmania’s parks will be assaulted by developers. It is critical it does not pass. I’d encourage everyone to make a submission and stay engaged by following the groups engaged with this issue. ‘Planning Matters’ on fb gives the most commentary on what can be done.

[taswegian]

Just want to suggest don't just think wilderness.
Anything, as in ANYTHING will come under that code.

It could be your local neck of the neighbourhood gets a gigantic multi-storey whatever, or an area currently reserved (set aside) for its environmental or community values within a built up area is given the nod for a major development completely at odds with the community, environs etc.

I've lived long enough and worked in public service long enough (25 years) to know how mates meet mates works.
Don't worry about it laddy, We'll fix it
It happens.

People completely remote from the community will impact communities and have not a care in the world other than what the return is for them.

Be structured in your response, setout along social, economic, environmental backdrop. They are keys that currently have to be addressed in any development.