Bay of Fires National Park proposal

Like most observers of the State Government, the TCT was completely surprised by Premier David Bartlett’s statement in the State of the State Address on 3 March, ‘I am pleased to announce today the intention of this Government to establish the Bay of Fires National Park’. From what we can gather this was the Premier’s idea alone and even the Department of Primary Industries and Water and its minister David Llewellyn (who has responsibility for reserve declarations), had no role. The script of the Premier’s address makes it clear that the national park proposal was inspired by the Lonely Planet Guide’s acknowledgement of the Bay of Fires as its must-see destination of 2009. It appears the Premier wants to take advantage of the benefit national park status brings for promoting the area as a tourist attraction, but failed to consider any other issues.