Parks Victoria, Cameron Bergmeier
Level 10, 535 Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
fallstohotham@parks.vic.gov.au
Subject: Preliminary Concept for Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing Master Plan: Feedback from Canberra Bushwalking Club
Dear Madam or Sir
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the preliminary concept paper for the development of Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing walk. This club has a direct interest in the proposal, as many of our members walk on the Australian Alps Walking Track and/or periodically run walking events in the area.
Our club is strongly of the view that any consideration of further commercial development in the area must be fully scrutinised for compatibility with the objectives and intent of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Any development considered should maintain the area’s existing wilderness and scenic values, as well as ensuring continued public access by bushwalkers and other users who are not visiting the area through a commercial company ie consideration of exclusive-use agreements with commercial organisations for public infrastructure in the area should be avoided. It is equally important that appropriate safeguards are put in place both to manage commercial operators (eg leasing rather than ownership arrangements for infrastructure, contracts which specify environmental compliance criteria, etc) and to reduce the risks of environmental damage, such as increased incursions of invasive weeds (eg hawkweed, etc). It also would be highly desirable to minimise the introduction of any new infrastructure in order to preserve the natural values of the area.
Once again, the Canberra Bushwalking Club would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide our views at this early stage of planning. We would be grateful to be kept informed of the progress with the Master Plan and any further consultative opportunities.
Yours sincerely
Lorraine Tomlins, President, Canberra Bushwalking Club
GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601
20 November 2015