[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Palmers Lookout Exclusion Move Successfully Stalled_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

PALMERS LOOKOUT LAND EXCISION FROM STATE RESERVE OUTRAGE

Greens Succeed in Adjourning Debate Following Fears Over Potential Sale
Motivation

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Parks and Reserves spokesperson

Thursday, 30 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today succeed in adjourning debate on moves by the
Bartlett government to revoke the State Reserve status of the popular
Palmers Lookout on the Tasman Peninsula, after accusing Labor of 'sneaky
behaviour' over its intentions, and citing concerns that the move
pre-empts sale of the site to a private landholder.

Greens Shadow Parks and Reserves spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP said
that the Bartlett government failed to provide sufficient reason for
revoking this area of Crown Land from the State Reserve system, and that
Labor government is intending to sell off publicly-owned land for a
quick buck.

Ms O'Connor, who visited Palmers Lookout last weekend, describer the
location as a staggeringly beautiful public asset that is about to be
taken away from the people of Tasmania.

"The Bartlett government's move to revoke the State Reserve status of
the beautiful Palmers Lookout on the Tasman Peninsula is the latest
sneaky behaviour indulged in by Labor, therefore we moved to adjourn
debate to allow for greater analysis and clarification," Ms O'Connor
said.

"Labor's sorry history in Tasmania of disregarding its responsibility
for maintaining protected areas on behalf of the community means that
there is enormous suspicion swirling around the motivation behind moves
like this that would free up Crown Land for sale to private interests."

"What a dodgey process. This is a continuation of Labor's death by a
thousand cuts attitude to protected areas, and continues the sad history
in Tasmania of reserve revocation, and of a lack of regard for an area's
protected status."

"Last Saturday I went down to Palmers Lookout to have a look at this
place the Bartlett Government would slash out of the state reserve
system in such a cavalier fashion, and I discovered a staggeringly
beautiful public asset."

"Standing on Palmers Lookout I was overwhelmed by the sweeping view that
takes in Cape Pillar, Tasman Island and down to Port Arthur bay and
Safety Cove."  

"The panorama is just breathtaking, and a little parcel of it, a place
to stand and drink in that view, is now owned by the people of Tasmania,
but most likely not for very many days longer as a result of this
government's extremely pragmatic view of Tasmania's reserve system."

"I discovered during my visit to Palmers Lookout that there are two
adjacent blocks to the State Reserve that are for sale, and after
contacting the real estate agent I learnt that it is estimated that a
slightly larger parcel of land than the State Reserve is estimated to
sell for $450, 000."

"That's a tidy sum for government, a very tidy sum." 

"All reserves held by the State are technically held perpetually which
cannot be said for any lookout which is located on a private property.
What happens if the next property owner no longer wants the lookout?"

"What happens if, in the future, the owner of the private property on
which the 'public' lookout stands, decides to sell their property, and
the new owner doesn't in fact want people tramping all over their land
to look at the stunning view out to Cape Pillar and Tasman Island and
down to Port Arthur bay and Safety Cove?"




Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.