A series of speakers spoke about their connection to place, their views on the proposal, the history of helicopter tourism in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA), campaign updates and the broader issues of the erosion of public input into decision making over public land.
MC'd by Dan Broun and Jenny Smith of FAWAHA, the Miena Community Centre was at a COVID-regulated capacity of 100 Tasmanians from all walks of life, anglers, bushwalkers and Central Highlands locals. Opening speaker Sharnie Everett of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre welcomed the crowd to yingina/Great Lake and spoke of the history and connection to the area of the palawa community. She also refuted the proposed development as disrespectful and unwelcome to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community. Tom Allen from the Wilderness Society then spoke of the values of the area, of wilderness as a concept and how the Halls Island development will fundamentally erode those values and Tasmania's "brand". He also launched a fund for nature - a fundraising drive to help groups like FAWAHA with their activities as well as the activities The Wilderness Society undertakes in this battle to protect wilderness values.
Following Mr Allen, Nick Sawyer from the Tasmanian National Parks Association (TNPA) spoke of the history of helicopter tourism proposals in the TWWHA and particularly on the Central Plateau. In the past after studies and periods of public feedback any proposals were dropped - he highlighted how in the past public sentiment was taken seriously and was the deciding factor in stopping heli-tourism in its tracks, and how despite even larger public opposition in the Lake Malbena case public opinion has been sidelined and dismissed. These themes of ignoring public opinion and disrespecting traditional users were picked up by the next speaker, Brett Smith, an angler and founder of FAWAHA. Mr Smith spoke passionately about fishing in the Western Lakes and about the erosion of democratic principles in Tasmania.
The next speaker was Craig Garland, fisher from the north-west coast and a political aspirant who condemned the two major political parties and their secretive and divisive tactics. The simmering frustration felt by all speakers and the crowd found a voice with Mr Garland's no-nonsense address to the crowd. Those gathered were left reassured by Mr Garland's announcement
Malbena Matters campaignersDan Broun
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Bushwalk
