Halls Island
The link below gives more details - I think TasTrax beat me to it?
http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/6fdfc222-f732-e811-886f-005056ba00a8/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1523250150217 Here's a few details.
Having made many submissions on behalf of others and seen the outcomes, one becomes weary from the way these things are put together.
From FlyLife forum
At some point we have to acknowledge these elephants in the room. And that will be a tough conversation, because one person's pest is another's prize: as a stuffed trophy or their next meal.
The first thing we might learn from Predator Free New Zealand is that not everyone wants to live in it.The above is a good summation of my thoughts.
To me if something is so sensative as to needing protection from intrusion then why advocate such intrusion only to say how such can be limited or mitigated. Just don't go there. Full Stop!
The submission is carefully crafted as it highlights the past history of mankind's interference in the area to justify this proposal.
Hence an argument as to why this new venture doesn't really matter.
Good land management along with regeneration doesn't make excuses for past and even well meaning practices to excuse a continued use.
How can you offer "
Improved conditions and protection for the EPBCA listed sphagnum peatland" by increasing the stress on an already stressed or sensitive area?
Interestingly they say there's unlikely any Aboriginal heritage, but then list the same heritage as something to be studied and explained.
List doesn't show the island as leased only that pocket handkerchief area that wouldn't house the proposed footprint for 3 of 4mx3m and a 8mx4m building footprint. 36 m² and 32 m².
The activities are interesting. Carefully worded to tick the right boxes. (I've been there, done that only to see the sad reality at the end, when all that wonderful stuff is (not) implemented.)
Once permits are issued there's reluctance or no interest to check outcomes or accountability.
I'm coming at this with a realistic approach from past, personal experience. I'll acknowledge not all are tarred with the same brush, but this???
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From the document.
The primary theme of the project is one of cultural immersion, built around Reg Hall and Walls of Jerusalem National Park narrative.
This theme is to be enhanced by world-class interpretation of the listed Outstanding Universal Values found in the World Heritage area.
Key target markets will be discerning travellers looking for new discoveries, deep heritage and strong narratives, natural encounters and lean luxury.
Activities will include kayaking, hill-walking, cultural interpretation, wildlife viewing, and the chance to participate in choreographed 'citizen-science' style field trips with guest-experts in the fields of science, art and culture. On-island activities will include continuing with the sixty-year history of poetry and art on the island, astronomy, botany, bird watching and flora and fauna interpretation.
The small-scale, niche operation is aimed at the very top-end of the market. Ensuring that the proposed activities and outcomes are sensative to the environmental and social expectations of operations in the TWWHA (Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area), the scale will be extremely low: a maximum of 30 trips annually, with just 6 customers per trip.
Halls Island is a location with previous and existing European human activity and built heritage (settlement), and obvious long-term disturbance to Apparent Naturalness. Haflinger 4wd's, horses and floatplanes have all been used regularly as means of access during the past sixty years.
3. Camp Design
The infrastructure would facilitate a high-level of visitor comfort and delivery of high-quality, tailored interpretation.
The camp design would include:
-Three twin-share accommodation buildings, of approximately 4mx3m.
-One central kitchen/communal hut, of approximately 8mx4m
-Associated toiletry building (S), designed as complete-capture pod systems for removal of all sewage and grey-water,
hours of flight time is currently projected for the construction process.
-On-site construction will be performed with the use of hand tools, and battery-operated tools. A
small four-stroke generator will be used to re-charge drills etc as required. It is planned that the
camp will be installed to lock-up stage within a 20-30 day period.
Halls Island is leasehold (under lease to the proponent), within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.
Outcome 2: Improved conditions and protection for the EPBCA listed sphagnum peatland on Halls Island, through the appropriate installation and use of perforated, raised boardwalk where appropriate.
Outcome 6: Improved knowledge of the Aboriginal cultural values of the area, through partnerships with local Aboriginal communities and organisations, and increased Access to Country opportunities created and provided by the proposal. Its definitely for the well healed - says that straight out.
If something is so really really precious that we need to better understand, appreciate, and come to love, then is it right that such wonderful information of such iconic places are the exclusive domain of the rich?