Petition to ban cruises in Tasmanian parks grows

Panoramic veiw from the rocks of Wine Glass Bay on a beautiful sunny day.

A petition to ban cruise ships entering Tasmanian national parks is picking up steam.

With more than 12,000 signatures at the time of writing, the petition is making its way through the State Government and is fighting against the estimated 29 ships which will dock in national parks this year.

Of particular concern is the damage a surplus in cruises could do to the pristine Wineglass Bay and Freycinet, both of which are scheduled to be visited by six ships this year.

The petition is calling for the government to ban large cruises from entering waters surrounding the national park, and is also asking the Tasmanian government to set up an exclusion zone around all national parks.

Speaking on ABC Radio Hobart, Proffessor of Tourism at William Angliss Institute Sue Beeton said the biggest challenge came from mitigating potential damage while still appeasing to the growing tourism market.

“Cruise shipping, I would say, is one of the most highly divisive aspects of tourism in that these enormous ships are so visible,” she told Sarah Gillman on ABC Radio Hobart.

“There’s a growing sense of privilege and expectations to also access more and more remote areas and often in a comfortable way.

“Where do we draw the line and who draws the line?”

Nonetheless, Beeton applauded the cruising’s ability to survive when so many deemed that the industry would die out a few decades ago.

However, she added that restrictions are crucial as the industry looks forward.

“Tasmania is held up as an icon in combining the tourism industry and the natural environment in a really positive way for both sides, and this issue is raising a lot of questions around that.

“There are so many pros and cons towards any tourist activity.

“I don’t want to paint the cruise ship industry as completely bad and evil, because it’s not, but we do have these issues that I think need greater consideration.”

In October of last year, CLIA released its annual report which found the cruise industry surge past $5 billion for the first time.

Increased ship deployments to Tasmania in 2016-17, also saw the state experience substantial growth.

Tasmania grew 138 per cent in total output growth to up its share to almost 3 per cent as Hobart and Port Arthur saw a spike in ship visit days.

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