Commercial resorts, amusement parks and fast-food outlets could be built in NSW national parks under new laws to boost tourism, conservation groups say.
The NSW Environmental Defenders Office has warned of a radical shift away from conservation if state laws are changed to allow commercial trade and licences for new tourism developments.
But the head of a state taskforce appointed to identify ways to increase tourism in national parks says it has conservation very much in mind and is not considering high-impact tourism developments.
The Environmental Defenders Office says there are plans to change sections of the state's National Parks and Wildlife Act and Wilderness Act to include tourism as well as conservation and protection of cultural values.
These changes would make it harder to stop new commercial developments in national parks and open up wilderness areas to use for commercial purposes, principal solicitor Kirsty Ruddock said.
National Parks Association of NSW executive director Andrew Cox said under existing national park laws, developments were only allowed if they supported the main purpose of parks, which was conservation, and low-impact visitor activities.
"This is what's stopped our parks from being urbanised and Disney-fied," he said.
The NSW Government wants to boost visitor numbers to national parks by 20pc in the next seven years, and appointed a taskforce earlier this year to look at ways to promote tourism.
The taskforce, headed by former director-general of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Brian Gilligan, has been asked specifically to recommend removal of any unnecessary, legislative, regulatory and structural constraints to tourism.
It will present its final report to the Government next month.
Mr Gilligan said the taskforce had a specific brief to investigate ways "to enhance the tourism experience" in national parks, and increase tourism revenue.
"This doesn't involve anything to do with commercial resorts; we want people to spend more time in our national parks and appreciate a more meaningful experience. There is no place for resorts with swimming pools, tennis courts and golf courses in national parks, and that kind of thing is not part of what we are considering."
But Mr Gilligan would not rule out eco-tourism ventures similar to the Bay of Fires lodge at the edge of Tasmania's Mt William National Park or facilities catering to the new trend for "glamping", or glamour camping.
Mr Cox said documents obtained under Freedom of Information confirmed commercial developments were being considered by the taskforce.
"We fear the taskforce will recommend the opening up of national parks for new accommodation that can better be sited outside national parks or in nearby towns," he said.
A submission to the taskforce by the Property Council of Australia supports "appropriate development of tourism accommodation and attractions in partnership with the parks system".
It says nature-based tourism is the fastest growing tourism sector, providing a significant driver for high yield international experience seekers.
National parks in NSW attract 22 million visitors each year, with 4.7 million of these from overseas.
According to NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change figures, 51pc of international visitors to the state make at least one trip to a national park.
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