Thursday 2 August 2007

TOURISM INDUSTRY RECOGNISES ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF PULP MILL
The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, today welcomed the release of the Tourism Industry Council survey of tourism operators around the State.

Ms Wriedt said the survey of 694 of the State’s 1,000 accredited tourism operators was consistent with feedback she had received from tourism operators.

"I’m pleased to see that two thirds of tourism operators surveyed recognise that the proposed pulp mill will have a positive economic benefit for the State.

"The tourism industry clearly recognises that Tasmania cannot survive on one industry alone and we need a diversity of industries to ensure a strong and competitive economy.

"I have had a lot of communication with Tamar tourism operators and the views have been expressed to me are consistent with the results of the survey.

"The Government will now consider the recommendations that have been made by the Board of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania based on the survey results.

"The two major recommendations relate to the regulation of the proposed mill and transport infrastructure.

"Already the Government has made significant progress towards establishing an Environment Protection Authority with legislation due to be tabled in Parliament later this year.

"Next week I will be meeting with tourism operators in the Tamar Valley for the second time to discuss the proposed pulp mill and respond to a diverse range of issues that were raised with me at a forum last month."

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au