Page 3883 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 25 August 2010
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MR STANHOPE: I cannot answer the specific question. I will take it on notice and provide the member with the answer to the specific question.
But I actually alluded to this earlier, and I did not want to be specific about it. There is a difference of opinion. It is quite clear that the National Parks Association has been in touch with the Greens’ offices in relation to the ongoing dispute between the National Parks Association and Conservation Volunteers Australia. You know, it is a pity that the Greens, I think, air the fact that, within this tremendous community network we have, there are different points of view around Nil Desperandum.
Conservation Volunteers Australia have a view, supported by TAMS and the government, in relation to the reasonable overnight use of Nil Desperandum. The National Parks Association disagrees. The National Parks Association is really disappointed that the government did not accept every single one of its representations in relation to the Namadgi National Park. Well, I would like very much too to be able to agree with every single representation that every community organisation makes to me. But, in this particular instance, in relation to Tidbinbilla and Nil Desperandum, the National Parks Association is totally opposed to this particular use and, indeed, it has a minimalist approach to any activity in Namadgi.
Indeed, the National Parks Association does not believe that there should be orienteering events in Namadgi national park. The ACT government did not agree with the National Parks Association in relation to that either. We think orienteering is quite a reasonable thing to be undertaken in Namadgi, but the National Parks Association is disappointed and upset with the government that we did not agree with it on orienteering being banned from Namadgi. The National Parks Association is also disappointed that we actually believe that the Conservation Volunteers Australia approach to Nil Desperandum deserves to be supported.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Thank you, Mr Speaker. When did the tendering for the provision of recreational and tourism services for Tidbinbilla occur and how many applications of interest did the government receive?
MR STANHOPE: I will take the question on notice.
MS LE COUTEUR: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Le Couteur.
MS LE COUTEUR: Thank you. Minister, what environmental conditions of access have been determined for Conservation Volunteers Australia to use the site?
MR STANHOPE: I will take that question on notice too.
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