Victoria has spurned the chance to host a once-in-a-decade international conservation conference, allowing the New South Wales Coalition to sweep in and take the event.
NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker yesterday boasted the conference would bring more than 3000 visitors to the state and generate $25 million for its economy.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature had settled on Melbourne as its preferred host for the 2014 World Park Congress, after a two-year bid by the former state government and the Commonwealth. But as The Age revealed last year, the Baillieu government pulled the pin after it was elected, prompting accusations it was avoiding international scrutiny of its environmental policies.
Major Events Minister Louise Asher said yesterday the Baillieu government made an ”economic decision not to pursue this bid as it did not represent good value for taxpayers’ money”.
The conference had been expected to cost the state and federal government $2 million each. The World Parks Congress, which last took place in South Africa in 2003, examines the best way to run nature reserves and protect biodiversity.
Ms Parker said ”as well as the economic boost from the Congress itself, hosting the event is a magnificent opportunity for us to provide a global audience for our stunning national parks that are accessible from Sydney and across NSW.”
NSW Tourism Minister George Souris said, ”this global forum is another major win for our state and reconfirms NSW’s pre-eminence … it will showcase Sydney and NSW to the rest of the world and will surely drive tourism.”
Victorian opposition environment spokeswoman Lisa Neville said the state had world-class national and marine parks and this was an opportunity to showcase that to tourists.
”Instead of promoting Victoria, this government walked away from hosting this conference and as a result millions of dollars in economic benefit has been lost to Victoria,” she said.
Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke had accused the Victorian government of shirking the conference to avoid scrutiny over its conservation record.
Meanwhile, the NSW government is expected to face opposition over its plan this week to pass legislation allowing the hunting of feral pests in 79 parks after it struck a deal with the Shooters and Fishers Party.
