The people of Circular Head have a strong sense of place and have shown repeatedly that they can be a force to be reckoned with if they feel that their recreational activities and links to the land are under attack.

I was disappointed to see the Greens oppose the lease transfer and I sincerely hope that the Tasmanian Conservation Trust will reconsider its threat to block it through a legal process.

It is important for green groups to understand that there is a great deal of public land that needs to be well managed in Circular Head. If locals know that their values are respected and that they are involved in management arrangements, they will help Parks to achieve its environmental goals. It is common sense that it is better to work with people than to get them offside and add to management problems.

We have good models of local community involvement in land management already emerging in the Robbins Passage Wetlands planning process and the Hunter Island Advisory Group. I am concerned that the uncompromising attitude of the TCT could destroy the goodwill necessary for these projects to succeed.

Ross Hine

MAYOR

17 February 2006