2 replies to this topic

[Mystic]

I have just finsihed watching the ABC's 7:30 Report story about the bay of Fires. The widely popular international Lonely Planet Travel Guide has nominated this area as the hottest travel locationfor 2009. This carries mixed blessings.

Whereas tourism is good for our economy and helps to promote growth for all Tasmanians, it often comes at a huge cost if not managed properly. The Greens, and others, are calling for the region to become a dedicated national park, thus implementing controls and huge restrictions over potential future development of the area, and this may be something that we need to act on, and act on fast, if we are to protect the features of the region that have led to the current nomination.

In my teenage years I had the very good fortune to travel to far north Queensland and enjoy the isolated beaches around Mossman, just north of Cairns, and also venture into an unspoilt Daintree rainforest, where we managed to get stranded for a couple of months while we waited for the wet season to pass. Those were among the most memorable days of my life. The unspoilt beauty of the area up there was spectacular. Today I would not venture that far north as my memorable images would be shatterd by the amount of development many have told me occurred in the years since my visit.

I have also spent many enjoyable times in the Bay of Fires, and love the natural, unspoilt beauty of the area. While the campgrounds can become a little crowded during peak holiday seasons, they are far easier to deal with than a string of tourist resorts ripping through the bushland and degrading the coast.

The Bay of Fires is an area that should be enjoyed by as many people as possible, but it is the experience that led to its nomination, the pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and spectacular scenery that should be preserved to be enjoyed. Once the developers move in, those things vanish, and the area ultimately loses all that it became respected for.

Let's make this area a national park, and ensure that it is not destroyed.

[tassiesim]

Anna I agree with you 100% on this issue make it a national Park to protect the area, let campers in and dat visitors to enjoy this wonderful place, but a few restrictions would be in order to Keep Tasmania and its wonderful places like this the way they are

[Son of a Beach]

Raising revenue seems to be what makes the government tick sometimes. Even from this point of view, they'd do well to make it a NP, as they'd collect a lot of park entry fees from all the Lonely Planet readers coming to check it out. They'll need to get in quick though, to take advantage of the rush.

But what to do about the various private properties along that part of the coast? Leave them out of the park, or compulsory buy back?