THE LEVEN CANYON, BLACK BLUFF AND WINTERBROOK ARE STUNNING.
THEY WOULD BE THE ENVY OF ANY OTHER REGION.
The cheapest way to support jobs and growth in tourism and the wider community is by protecting and promoting Tasmania’s clean, green wilderness. So why are we damaging one of our regions best wilderness asset with a cheap transmission line that only serves offshore investors, and works against the interests of local and regional tourism businesses?
Over a year ago UPC Renewables planned to build a transmission line to get the power generated at their proposed two wind farms, Jims Plains and Robbins Island to Mainland Australia. The line was designed to travel across North West Tasmania through Hampshire and join the grid at Sheffield and all going well, would make the journey to the Mainland via the Marinus Link, a yet-to-be-built undersea cable across the Bass Strait.
The fact that the route went straight through the Leven Canyon Reserve showed us that UPC had little regard for our region's natural assets. There was a community backlash and UPC backed down.
Tasnetworks has, on behalf of UPC, taken over the planning and construction of this contentious part of the route. It still goes from Hampshire to Sheffield and will still impact the Leven Canyon but now goes directly through the Loongana Valley. TasNetworks have proved that a Government Business Enterprise can be even worse for communities as they attempt to bully, lie and manipulate the residents of Loongana.
The fact that the route went straight through the Leven Canyon Reserve showed us that UPC had little regard for our region's natural assets. There was a community backlash and UPC backed down.
Tasnetworks has, on behalf of UPC, taken over the planning and construction of this contentious part of the route. It still goes from Hampshire to Sheffield and will still impact the Leven Canyon but now goes directly through the Loongana Valley. TasNetworks have proved that a Government Business Enterprise can be even worse for communities as they attempt to bully, lie and manipulate the residents of Loongana.
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The new route is even closer to the Leven Canyon Lookout than the first one. |
ICONIC VIEWS AND TOURISM : LOST FOREVER.
The Loongana Valley region offers rare beauty, from river to alpine heights, with forests full of birds and animals, and unique walks that are a cost-effective investment to attract visitors to the whole area. The region offers several days of exploring and the chance to explore one of Tasmanias premiere garden attractions and a selection of local accomodation on offer - all within one hour of an airport.
High-value wilderness experiences like these are becoming rare nationally and internationally.
The Penguin-to-Cradle Trail is the start of a continuous multi-day walk crossing the entire island from north to south via the Overland Track - the Loongana Valley is a vital link.
Increasing visitor numbers to Cradle Mountain puts increasing pressure on its landscape and resources. The proposed transmission line has arrived at the time when regional areas desperately need tourists in the economic recovery from Covid19. It will be domestic tourism that fuels this recovery now rather than luxury experiences targeting overseas visitors. These domestic tourists will spread their dollars further into our communities but yet the Central Coast area's own wild back yard and Black Bluff, their own 'Cradle Mountain' will be bypassed completely by tourists seeking a true wilderness experience. The resulting loss of this potential revenue for the whole Coast to Cradle area may be staggering!
The Penguin-to-Cradle Trail is the start of a continuous multi-day walk crossing the entire island from north to south via the Overland Track - the Loongana Valley is a vital link.
Increasing visitor numbers to Cradle Mountain puts increasing pressure on its landscape and resources. The proposed transmission line has arrived at the time when regional areas desperately need tourists in the economic recovery from Covid19. It will be domestic tourism that fuels this recovery now rather than luxury experiences targeting overseas visitors. These domestic tourists will spread their dollars further into our communities but yet the Central Coast area's own wild back yard and Black Bluff, their own 'Cradle Mountain' will be bypassed completely by tourists seeking a true wilderness experience. The resulting loss of this potential revenue for the whole Coast to Cradle area may be staggering!
Paddys Lake, part of the Penguin Cradle Trail.
The visual impact of transmission lines, towers and easements, cutting through forests will create an industrialised landscape that will be seen from every iconic landmark. Forever ruined.
Tourists don’t visit Tasmania to see environmental destruction, transmission lines and logging of native forests.
Tourists don’t visit Tasmania to see environmental destruction, transmission lines and logging of native forests.
