State National Parks Entry Fees
Page: 9391
Mr R. H. L. SMITH (Bega) [6.25 p.m.]: I object most strongly to the decision by the Government to impose entry fees into another 23 national parks in New South Wales, some of which are within my electorate of Bega. The Bournda National Park and the Murramarang National Park are in my electorate and the Ben Boyd National Park is in the neighbouring electorate of Monaro, on the far south coast. Ever since this proposal was first made public my office has been inundated with calls and letters from people voicing their anger and outrage, and many have indicated that they have written to the office of the Minister for the Environment and also to the Premier. Local newspapers have contained many letters to the editor in relation to this subject ever since the public became aware of the proposal. This is not a popular proposal within my electorate. The introduction of the $20 single country park annual pass per vehicle, or the $6 per single visit, will have an enormous impact on the local tourist industry.
The parks attract thousands of tourists and locals each year and if an entry fee is imposed the visitors will visit other areas, putting increased pressure on parks not charging fees. No doubt those overloaded areas will impose fees at a later time. My electorate is mainly rural and we depend on the tourist dollars to sustain our area. Farmers are doing it tough since the deregulation of the dairy industry and we do not need any further setbacks to the economy on the far south coast. We need the tourist dollar. The Bournda National Park, which is only 20 minutes drive from Bega and 10 minutes drive from Merimbula, is a popular picnic area. It is extensively used for educational excursions by schools throughout New South Wales all year long. The park is set along a mostly pristine coastline, which has been used for generations as a popular tourist, local fishing and recreational spot.
I also have concerns for the members of the local boating clubs, such as the Dry River Sailing Club, a self-funded amateur sailing club that uses Wallagoot Lake most weekends during the summer months. That lake is set within the perimeter of Bournda National Park. The commodore of the club, Mr John Ford, has written of his concerns and I fully agree with him when he states that those proposed fees are an attack on the Australian way of life and will be detrimental to the viability of the small, but popular, local sporting clubs. The introduction of the fees will do very little to enhance reconciliation. It has been brought to my attention that the Koori community will be exempt from having to pay to enter national parks. That will cause resentment and will not go unnoticed by users of those popular recreational areas. Is that what we want at a time when all Australians are trying to pull together as one to reconcile our differences with our indigenous citizens?
There are many physically disabled people who use the viewing platforms at the south end of Bournda National Park, which were constructed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Over recent years disabled people who are unable to access the beach to enjoy the view or join in the whale watching activities when the annual migration occurs along the coastline have used that structure. Annual fees of $20 to enjoy that simple activity for maybe only 10 minutes at a time is an absolute disgrace. Furthermore, as the people on the far south coast pay among the highest fuel costs in the State, that entry fee will only further disadvantage many lower income families from enjoying the Australian tradition of the family Sunday drive and picnic.
Surely the suggested amount of $20 per vehicle per year, or $6 per visit, will not even cover the cost of collecting those fees. How does the Minister intend to collect this money? Will National Parks and Wildlife Service staff be seated at each entrance to the parks 24 hours a day? Even the cost of installing meters at such points is ridiculous, because that then encourages vandalism and theft. This is just another petty tax-grabbing scheme from the highest taxing State in Australia. I implore the Minister for the Environment to reconsider the implementation of entry fees into the national parks in my electorate of Bega.
Ms NORI (Port Jackson—Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Tourism) [6.30 p.m.]: Clearly this matter comes under the portfolio of the Minister for the Environment. However, the honourable member for Bega has raised tourism issues, so I will respond wearing that hat. A well-conserved natural environment and good facilities are essential to providing the best possible experience for the 22 million visitors who visit national parks and reserves each year. As the honourable member said, it has recently been announced that entry fees will be collected from visitors to parks at which entry fees were not previously collected. This will double the number of parks where entry fees are charged and will cover parks that have increasing visitor numbers.
Most of the existing national parks where entry fees are charged will now charge a levy of $6, an increase brought about because of the GST. I have been advised by the commercial operators that with regard to current fee structures, proposed fee structures and an implementation date, the current commercial charges are based on a number of models. The majority of the proceeds to National Parks and Wildlife Service that the honourable member has referred to will go back into local projects, and visitors to these parks and nature reserves will be directly supporting, conserving and providing better facilities.