Legislation passed late last night by the NSW Upper House will see some of the State’s most iconic national parks subject to commercial tourist facilities for the elite end of the tourist market at the expense of the general public and environment, the NSW Greens said tonight.
“The passing of this legislation with the support of the Opposition threatens the integrity of our National Park estate by allowing areas within the boundaries of National Parks to be developed,” said NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen.
“The Government is keen to adopt the Tourism and Transport Forum’s ‘high yield, low volume’ approach to visitors to National Parks which could see elite tourist resorts built in some of our most precious natural areas.
“This Bill will now make it easier for the public to be excluded from some parts of National Parks with private operators being granted ‘exclusive access’.
‘The Government is sending a clear message to the public about the future enjoyment of some National Parks - if you can’t pay, stay away.
“With commercial development comes associated infrastructure such as powerlines, roads and waste services. These all have an impact on the biodiversity values that National Parks are there to protect.
“This legislation has been driven by the bureaucracy in its effort to meet performance measures pertaining to increased numbers of visitors to our National Parks.
“Allowing elite tourist resorts in National Parks is not the way to get more people to enjoy them. Investing in basic park infrastructure and upgrades and marketing their natural values is.
“More people appreciating the beauty of the State’s National Parks is a great thing, but not if it’s at the expense of the nature with the Parks itself,” said Mr Cohen.
Further Information: Cate Faehrmann 0412 207 043
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