TODAY is the last chance to sign a petition that pushes back against private ownership of National Parks.
The ‘Save our National Parks from Commercialisation’ petition has so far garnered 4,506 signatures and is one of the highest performing petitions currently on the Queensland Government website.
Local community group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) said Queenslanders were sending the government, and the opposition, a clear message with the petition.
The new Whitsunday Island Ngaro Track (built with public money) is set to go out to private tender, to be operated by a private commercial operator.
“If or when this happens, people will not be able to book this walk, like it is done now, through QPWS – the private operator will control bookings and access,” SOF president Suzette Pelt said.
“This is happening right now in our Whitsunday Island National Park and, if you haven’t already done so, we need you to sign the petition.
“We cannot take our access to National Parks for granted any longer.”
Ms Pelt said it was ‘the thin edge of the wedge”.
“The private commercialisation of National Parks means people will not be able to freely visit their parks,” she said.
“It’s no different from a single commercial marine tourism operator getting exclusive access to, say, Manta Ray Bay and having control over public access and the fees charged.
“We’re asking you to take a few minutes to sign the e-petition to ensure that National Parks continue to exist as a public good, not taken over by private enterprises for private profit.
“For this petition to be effective, it must be supported by enough people to reflect the reality of the surveys already taken of Queenslanders, which show that a majority of the population want the natural environment and biodiversity of our National Parks protected.
“National Parks are the best chance nature has for the future. We need to keep public lands in public hands.”
The online e-petition closes today, Monday, September 2, 2024.
Got to: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4090.
