An article by ‘Eminent Australians’ was published in the Sydney Morning Herald in 2013 in response to moves by the Liberal Napthine government towards privatisation and commercialisation of national parks. The article is not only relevant to Victoria. It is highly relevant to the rest of Australia and a warning not to fail Nature. ‘New resort developments within national parks is recognised internationally as undesirable and in conflict with the very things national parks are established to protect.’ https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/the-insidious-threat-to-our-natural-heritage-20130818-2s4uk.html
Though this crisis has passed for now, in Victoria, at least it is a reminder of why we need stronger national environmental protection law. As the article illustrates:
‘Why then is it now proposed to introduce uses into our parks that are inimical to the very reason for establishing them? National parks have not been set aside for grazing by cattle, logging, prospecting, hunting or commercial development. These activities, to be permitted in national parks in several states, are incompatible with the fundamental reasons for creating them – protecting our natural and cultural heritage. Such uses compromise and diminish the reasons for visiting national parks – to enjoy the beauty of natural landscapes and to relax in natural settings removed from the complexities and stresses of modern living.
The most insidious of these intrusive uses are the proposals of the Victorian government to lease areas within our national parks for up to 99 years to encourage commercial development by private corporations.
In reality, a 99-year lease transfers ownership of a public asset, something we all own and can share, to a private benefit enjoyed by a privileged few. Once the private sector develops resorts and associated infrastructure, the return of this land to the public will never occur. Thus, with long-term leasing provisions embedded in legislation as is now occurring through the National Parks Amendment (Leasing Powers and Other Matters) Bill, most land in our national parks is vulnerable, because leased areas can be readily expanded.’
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