Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell says Nelson will be without one of its key tourist businesses this year because of inaction by the state Labor Government.
In a statement on Facebook, Nelson Boat Hire owner Brett Carson announced his business was forced to close following a long running battle with Government bureaucracy and lack of ability to secure a crown land lease.
Ms Britnell said this was an issue she had been working on with Mr Carson for the past three years.
“I have sent countless letters to the Ministers responsible and to the Department of Environment,” she said.
“This has been to no avail. Brett has been caught in a tangle of red tape and has been continually let down by the inaction and lack of willingness on the part of the Government, the Minister or the Department to step in and find a resolution – everyone looks to blame someone else.”
Ms Britnell said as the region looks to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic – tourism business like Nelson Boat Hire would be critical to encourage people to visit regional areas.
“This closure will hurt the community and it will hurt the tourism sector – the fault for this lies squarely at the feet of the Minister and the Government,” she said.
“I’ll continue to work with Brett in an effort to right this wrong and get the Government and Department to find a suitable solution.”
