Following the release of guidelines for environmentally friendly and
sustainable tourism in national parks, Victorians, as well as interstate
and international visitors, will have greater opportunities to
experience and appreciate the state’s wonderful natural environment The
guidelines follow the release of an independent report by the
Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission which recommended
‘sensible and sensitive developments in national parks’ as a measure to
unlock Victorian tourism.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith said the
Coalition Government had embraced the recommendations to stimulate and
drive a new era of eco-tourism in Victoria.
Mr Smith said the time had come to open the doors to a new world of
opportunity to encourage investment opportunities in Victoria’s world
class natural assets.
“Victoria’s national parks are important public assets and, just as
occurs in other states and territories, should be open to the public so
they can be enjoyed in a responsible and sustainable way,” Mr Smith
said.
“The guidelines I am releasing will provide strict environmental protections as part of a comprehensive approvals process.
“Proposals for major new tourism projects will require a detailed
environmental management plan supported by an independent environmental
risk assessment and
auditing of the plan.
“There must also be proper community consultation and projects will
be asked to generate a net public benefit for the community use of the
park.”
Mr Smith said the guidelines were an important step towards enabling
appropriate investment to occur in regional Victoria, and enhancing
tourism opportunities and
supporting local economies.
“The more that people have access to their natural environment the
more they will come to appreciate, respect and care for it,” Mr Smith
said.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said Victoria was
competing with other states, the Northern Territory and New Zealand to
gain market share in the lucrative eco-tourism sector, and needed to
improve its offering to travellers to induce them to stay longer in
regional Victoria.
“Eco-tourism is an important driver of jobs and money for local
communities, and as is the case with other iconic destinations such as
the Cradle Mountain Huts, Wilpena Pound, Kingfisher Bay Lodge in
Tasmania and Milford Sound Huts in New Zealand, they can co-exist with
national parks and other natural areas,” Ms Asher said.
Mr Smith said the Coalition Government would be encouraging proposals that
complemented the values of national parks, broadened the appeal of our great
natural assets and allowed more people to experience these unique places.
The government has also agreed to exclude investment proposals in
certain areas, such as wilderness parks, wilderness zones and remote and
natural areas set out in the National Parks Act 1975 or reference areas
under the Reference Areas Act 1978.
Approved tourism investment projects will be subject to lease
conditions to ensure the values of national parks are not compromised.
Legislation to enable the changes will be introduced into Parliament in
the coming months.
“The guidelines outline clear principles for the consideration of
proposals and a clear and transparent process to guide prospective
investors and other parties,” Mr Smith said.
“The release of the guidelines is about making the
most of these beautiful natural places and making Victoria’s national
parks more accessible to more people. We value our environment and we
are working to ensure all Victorians can enjoy it.”
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