National parks to be opened up to more use Queensland's national parks will be opened for business, but a parliamentary committee wants to see strict protections put in place first. The Health and Community Services Committee has recommended the Nature Conservation Amendment Bill be passed, but it has made several recommendations including that the legislation outline what activities will not be allowed and how high conservation areas will be protected. Parks Minister Steve Dickson has previously said the amendments would preserve what he called the "cardinal principle" of national park management - preservation - while bringing "park management and park enjoyments in line with current community expectations." But the committee wanted to see that promise made clearer, recommending Mr Dickson "describe the types of activity that the bill will and will not permit in areas of high conservation value, and how those areas will be protected from potentially damaging uses." The committee also recommends Mr Dickson directs his department "to publish as soon as possible" the "decision making framework and criteria for permitting activities in protected areas and the risk mitigation that may be required of commercial, recreational, educational and ecotourism operators." The committee received 203 public submissions on the subject, many concerned preservation would be lost among the "cutting red tape" focus, as well as the amendments possibly paving the way for mining. Attempting to address those concerns, it was recommended the bill "be amended to guarantee protection of existing conservation parks and put beyond doubt that mining, geothermal activities and greenhouse gas storage activities will not be permitted on land formerly dedicated as a conservation park." Invitation for public comment on any ecotourism proposals, an impact assessment be included with any proposed commercial or recreational use of the park and a clarification "that the 'interest' that indigenous people may have in protected areas is an interest under Aboriginal tradition or Island custom" were also recommended. Debate on the Bill will continue when parliament resumes next week. The government is under no obligation to accept the committee's recommendations and given its majority, there is no question about whether or not the bill will be passed. Mr Dickson has repeatedly said the bill is about supporting the tourism industry by opening up new avenues of business, such as 'glamping'. "We are just enhancing the existing opportunities that are available now by creating ecotourism within our national parks, it gives you another spoke to your wheel," Mr Dickson said.