Vic national park slated for development

POINT Nepean could be among the first Victorian tourism developments in previously off-limits national parks.

In a bid to cash in on the lucrative eco-tourism market, the state government has released rules which would allow development in some national parks.

Developers will have to jump five hurdles in the approval process and allow for a public notification period before being given the green light.

The developments would have to be sensitive to their setting and provide social and economic benefits to the community.

Tourism groups say the move will help the state generate returns on already high visitor numbers to national parks.

But environment groups say developers have no place in national parks and the guidelines don't require enough public consultation.

Environment Minister Ryan Smith said the government would initiate some developments and soon call for expressions of interest in Point Nepean on the tip of the Mornington Peninsula.

The government is also considering upgrading facilities at Mount Buffalo in the state's alpine high country.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Dianne Smith said the state had more national park visitors than other states, but received the lowest economic return.

"This is largely due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure and experiences available to visitors," she said.

"By allowing appropriate investment, these guidelines will make our national parks more accessible for locals and visitors."

Victorian National Parks Association executive director Matt Ruchel said developers should stay out of national parks.

"Commercial developments should be outside national parks, not inside," he said.

"They're for nature conservation, recreation and respite, not property development."

He said the guidelines should include more than one stage of public consultation, slated to happen early in the process before final business cases were presented.

Mr Smith said developers had yet to indicate which areas of the state were in their sights.

He refused to rule out large-scale hotels, adding each proposal would be judged on its merits.

"Developments such as fast food outlets wouldn't be able to bring a net community benefit and certainly would not be under the definition of a sensitive and sensible development," he said.

Mr Smith said facilities similar to the Cradle Mountain huts in Tasmania, resort-style accommodation in the Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia and Karijini Eco Retreat in Western Australia would be the sorts of developments likely to be viewed as appropriate.

"There is no reason why Victoria can't compete on the same playing field as those other states," he said.

He said there would be some areas where developments would also need federal government approval.

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