Commercial development in National Parks (Australia)

[sonicthehedgehog]

Hi there everyone, I am actually following what is happening to better understand the growth of luxury multi-day hike lodges in Australia. This is highly problematic as we are not facing poachers etc. In Australia they continually justify it using Africa as a model of where this works. I understand poverty alleviation, poaching issues, and employment generation (in australia they are doing it for conservation? jobs? (about 4 per hut as only guides on board) and money(no money in tourism in Australia), and our parks are funded by taxpayers! They are coming in either as private or as NGOs and saying they will use afrrican models to fund our parks. Unfortunately they are keeping public and other operators out in some areas through exclusive use. Its gone to 2 supreme courts and won but they pop up like fungus!! If curious, I have a fb site @Protect Australian Parks if you want more. For me its horrific as we have no real reason to do this, unlike africa or PNG (where Im from). So ... after all that... feel free to tell me to go away, but ... we are using YOUR parks systems (SAN parks particularly) as an excuse to develop and good practice model. Im sure some of you have a comment on that Thank you.

[Lisbeth]

Welcome to the Forum sonic!

Maybe once SANParks would have been a model worth using, but unfortunately things have changed enormously over the last 5/10 years.

Have a look here: https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... 29#p554829

[Richprins]

Welcome, Sonic!

Ja, it is difficult for us to compare Australia, but it seems money is the driving factor over conservation all around the world!

We are not a good model to follow in SA, unfortunately, being burdened by the added factors of corruption, crime and incompetent management at all levels.