Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 21 March 2011:

With reference to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA):

(1) Who: (a) requested; and (b) authorised the refurbishment of the hut and/or helipad facilities at Fincham's Crossing and other sites on the TWWHA river systems, including, but not limited to, those on the Franklin, Gordon and Davey rivers.

(2) When were these requests and authorisations made.

(3) Who undertook the environmental impact assessment and report prior to the impact of each of these works on the riparian sites and can copies of the reports be provided.

(4) What was the cost of each of the refurbishments, individually and in total.

(5) Other than huts and helipads, what other works have been carried out, including: (a) when; and (b) under whose authority.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 1999 provides the policy framework and management prescriptions that guide the management of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The plan has been endorsed by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.

The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service has advised the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities that in September 2009 Hydro Tasmania notified them that it wished to undertake maintenance works at Mt Fincham and provided an environmental impact assessment in relation to that work. The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service issued an authority to Hydro Tasmania to undertake the maintenance works in October 2009. The authority authorised works to be conducted in accordance with the environmental impact assessment and the management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

I suggest that Senator Brown direct his questions to the Hon Brian Wightman MP, Tasmanian Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.