From ABC News
Seaplane to bring tourists to Tasmania's remote wilderness - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Tasmania's remote wilderness areas will become more accessible with the State Government extending a local seaplane company's licence.
The Government will now push ahead with plans to open up Tasmania's national parks and World Heritage Area to low-impact tourism development.
The move was announced
during the March election campaign and earlier in June the Government called for expressions of interest from investors and tourism operators.
The Hobart-based seaplane company had been in a trial for the past two years, flying to the Southwest and Freycinet national parks and Recherche Bay.
Parks Tasmania surveyed non-seaplane visitors to gauge the impact of the trial, and the Government has now extended the operator's licence.
Environment Minister Matthew Groom said the trial showed the flights did not negatively impact on the environmental.
"We feel very confident that this is environmentally responsible," he said.
"We think the operators have indicated a great respect for the natural environment, making sure they're doing it responsibly, so that's the basis on which we've extended the licence, further developing our reputation as the environmental tourism capital of the world."
Company spokesman Will Barbour was also optimistic about the expansion.
"We see the announcement as a vote of confidence by the Government in our responsible operations," he said.
The company was also given permission to trial flights between Hobart and Lake St Clair for 12 months.
Premier Will Hodgman believed allowing development in or near national parks would boost tourist numbers and the economy.
"We're serious about unlocking Tasmania's potential," Mr Hodgman said.
"Our tourism industry is one of our core competitive strengths and the Liberal Government's right behind boosting it even further and that means new attractions."
The Government said normal planning safeguards would apply, but environmentalists have expressed concern about the move.
They feared developments would not be restricted to eco-tourism ventures and will turn into an "open season" for developers.