ASH POSITION STATEMENT

MEDIA RELEASE Sunday 16 June 2024
​Position Statement

The Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook Inc. (ASH) advocates for the management of national parks under the Cardinal Principle as expressed in the original Nature Conservation Act (1992); that is, for preservation of natural processes and conservation of biodiversity. 
  
Inaugurated in 1997, ASH inherited the aims of Friends of Hinchinbrook Inc. (FOH).
Spokesperson Ms. Moorhouse said “ASH has always strongly opposed all proposals to impose Tourism leases on Queensland national parks.”

Please sign the Petition
(Eligibility - Queensland residents)
Save our National Parks from Commercialisation

Neither ASH, nor any representative of ASH, has ever;

• ​advocated for Tourism leases on any Queensland national park; or
• ​made or proposed an agreement with the government or with any corporation or group to obtain a lease on any national park for Commercial Tourism or for any other reason or purpose.   

Facts about proposals for leases on Hinchinbrook Island National Park

• In 2018 the Queensland Government invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a Private Commercial Tourism lease on Hinchinbrook Island National Park. This proposed lease was not granted.
• Since 2018, the Queensland Government has not invited EOI for leases on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.
• In 2019 the Queensland Government terminated the long-standing Tourist Resort lease on Cape Richards on Hinchinbrook Island National Park.  
• In 2023 the Queensland Government stated it would publish invitations for EOI in 2024.

Margaret Moorhouse

President, Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook Inc.
 
NOTES
The cardinal principle for managing national parks is to provide, to the greatest possible extent, for the permanent preservation of the area's natural condition and the protection of the area's cultural resources and values.5 July 2022
(Parks and forests - Queensland National Parks)
see also   https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-19/hinchinbrook-island-cape-richards-lease-changes/10821934 
see also   www.hinchinbrook.com
Margaret J Moorhouse
President
Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook Inc.

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