[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Palmers Lookout State Reserve Revoked_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PALMERS LOOKOUT STATE RESERVE REVOKED

But Minister Agrees To Protect Public Access Right

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Environment, Parks and Heritage Spokesperson

Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today expressed their sadness at the revocation in
Parliament today of the Palmers Lookout State Reserve from the list of
protected areas in Tasmania.

Greens Shadow Parks and Heritage spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP said the
Greens MPs put up a good fight to prevent the revocation, but ultimately
it came down to the facts of majority government on the floor of the
House.

"Until today, a small parcel of land at Palmers Lookout had been set
aside with the express purpose of enabling visitors to enjoy one of the
most stunning views in Tasmania, out to Cape Pillar and Tasman Island,
and down to Port Arthur and Safety Cove," Ms O'Connor said.

"The justification for revoking this State Reserve - that an alternate
'public' lookout had been established on private land nearby - was never
sound.  The Greens argued during debate on the revocation Motion that,
on the facts of it, there was no guarantee that the public would have
the opportunity to enjoy that view in perpetuity."

"Today in Parliament, the Minister for Crown Lands, Mr Llewellyn, agreed
with our proposition that there was no guarantee of a public viewing
right into the future following the revocation and, to his credit, the
Minister agreed to work to ensure this right was protected into the
future."

"The Greens will never support any moves to reduce Tasmania's parks and
reserves, and we did vote against the revocation motion today.  We
accept that, sadly, the Greens do not have the numbers and the vote was
lost."

"We do, however, expect Mr Llewellyn will honour his pledge to work with
the private landowner on whose property the 'public' lookout has been
established, to ensure the public has a genuine and enduring place to
enjoy the beautiful view from Palmers Lookout into the future," Ms
O'Connor said.




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