UN delegation to check Tas wilderness

Tasmanian premier Will Hodgman will greet a United Nations delegation to explain the government has no plans to compromise the state's wilderness values.

A United Nations delegation jetting to Tasmania to check on the island's Wilderness World Heritage Area will be told by federal and state governments the precious region is not at risk from industry.

The group arrives in Tasmania on Monday and Premier Will Hodgman will be among the representatives they meet.

"It will be a great chance for us to meet with the board to give them a balanced perspective of what's happening here in Tasmania (and) address some of the misinformation that's been submitted to them by environmental campaigners," the premier told reporters on Friday.

The state and federal governments have proposed that parts of the protected area be opened for sensitive development, such as tourism.

But in July, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee rejected the plan and resolved that protection measures be upheld across the 1.5 million-hectare sanctioned zone.

The decision was welcomed by conservationists, but the government vowed to push on with its bid.

"Nothing we are doing compromises, in our view, the listing," Mr Hodgman said.

"Tasmania has a strong and rich cultural heritage and one that also places a high value on our natural heritage, and we are equally determined to protect that."

Mr Hodgman and state Environment Minister Matthew Groom will meet with the delegation.

Hobart-based Australian Greens senator Nick McKim will also spend time with the group.

"It is crucial that the delegation get to see the full picture about what is at risk due to the state government's plans," Senator McKim has said.

"Frankly, the state government simply cannot be trusted to be honest with the World Heritage Committee."

In a brief statement on its website UNESCO confirmed a "reactive monitoring mission" to Tasmania from Monday to November 29 by representatives from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

"The monitoring mission will assess the overall state of conservation of the property and provide advice for the revision of its management plan," the website reads.

"It will notably survey the cultural attributes of the site."

Delegates will take recommendations to the next committee meeting to be held in Istanbul in July.


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Source: AAP



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