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QUEENSLAND NATIONAL PARKS LEASE PLAN ANGERS CONSERVATIONISTS AND TRADITIONAL OWNERS

27/10/2018

Exclusive by environment reporter Laura Gartry
Posted 27 October 2018, updated 27 October 2018

World heritage areas could be leased for 60 years under a State Government proposal to allow private companies to commercialise and build accommodation in three Queensland national parks.

Gutted remains of the Hinchinbrook Island eco-resort administration building and swimming pool off north Queensland. (ABC News)

But environmentalists are "absolutely appalled" by the plan, with some vowing to fight commercialisation of Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland's north.

The site is the largest island national park in Australia and is located within the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

One of the proposed developments is on the renowned Thorsborne Trail, which snakes 32 kilometres along the east coast of Hinchinbrook Island and is regarded as a prominent wilderness walk.

With limited facilities, hikers camp and carry their own supplies on the Thorsborne Trail.
The Department of Parks and Wildlife only permits 40 campers overnight at a time because of the trail's ecological significance.
However, tender documents show the Government would entertain proposals to modify that restriction.

Key points:

Environmentalists are "absolutely appalled" by the Queensland Government's plan
The proposed site is located within the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Government has opened EOIs for private businesses to build accommodation at three sites along the trail

Environmental campaigner Margaret Thorsborne died earlier this month. (ABC News).

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HANDS OFF HINCHINBROOK!!

17/10/2018

2 Comments

MEDIA RELEASE
17 October 2018
Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook Inc.

Queensland Government wants built accommodation OUTSIDE resort lease – on self-reliant WILDERNESS walk!
The last time we called HANDS OFF HINCHINBROOK! was in the 1990s – to protect Hinchinbrook Island from the depredations of white shoe brigader Keith Williams. Williams wanted track hardening of the Thorsborne Trail, rock walled harbours and other built infrastructure on Hinchinbrook Island - outside the resort lease.

Photo besthike.com

Now it’s the government to whom we say HANDS OFF HINCHINBROOK! - to protect Hinchinbrook Island from government proposals for accommodation infrastructure and guided tours along a self-reliant wilderness walk, in a national park that is the jewel in the crown of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA). See:
“Delivery and operation of eco-accommodation and tour guidance for Thorsborne Trail” - tender invitation 12 October 2018 (Queensland Department Innovation Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games).

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QUEENSLAND NATIONAL PARKS LEASE PLAN ANGERS CONSERVATIONISTS AND TRADITIONAL OWNERS

HANDS OFF HINCHINBROOK!!

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