Articles in this issue describe the state of play of the Tyndall Range ‘Next Iconic Walk’ project, undertake a financial analysis of the Three Capes Track, and reflect on Hobart City Council's decision process for a proposed zipline on Kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
The EIS for PWS's 'Next Iconic Walk' project was released in spring 2025, and completion of construction is currently planned for 2029. Most of our original fundamental problems with the project remain, plus some new concerns have recently come to light.
The National Parks Australia Council has developed a position statement on mountain biking in response to increasing demands for access to protected areas for this activity, and with the purpose of informing the decision-making process regarding mountain bike trail development and activities in a way that aims to ensure the conservation integrity of protected areas.
Changes announced for the proposed 'Next Iconic Walk' in the Tyndall Range will reduce the number of overnight nodes from 3 to 2 but will result in even more separate structures at Lakes Huntley and Mary.
Lightning-initiated wildfires have again burnt extensive tracts of wild country and likely destroyed still more areas of irreplaceable fire-sensitive vegetation. The fires continue to burn and may not be fully controlled for months.
Upgraded authoritative pre-trip information, ideally provided by the Parks and Wildlife Service, could reduce the chances of some avoidable rescues occurring when walkers get into difficulty because they have not anticipated the challenges of their planned bushwalk.
The content of this issue of TNPA News ranges from the reflective to the practical, showing the breadth of the TNPA’s remit. Topics include aspects of current reserved land management, some reflections on the future, and a conservation love story.
An overwhelming majority of submissions opposed the Tasmanian Government’s proposal for a statutory Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process, the assessment process for developing reserved land and management planning for that land. Now it is proposing that “submissions received will be used to inform a RAA Reform options paper taking feedback into account to determine next steps”. We call for a commitment to releasing the options paper for public comment.
A herd of 150 pigs is running wild at Gunns Plains, northwest Tasmania. While these pigs are not officially classed as feral, it makes little difference to the damage they are currently causing and their potential to become a major environmental as well as agricultural threat. The minister has advised the TNPA that there is no apparent feral pig issue, that the roaming pigs are being monitored and that legislative changes will be considered. While it's good that there is some action at state level, we hope the local council will receive the assistance it requires to stop the pigs in their tracks.
The PWS Report on the 2024 component of the 2023-24 TWWHA deer control project is now available. 306 deer were shot in 2024, and 1017 deer over the two-year program. A properly resourced ongoing culling program is required to prevent feral deer from establishing a permanent population within the TWWHA.
