The successful 1998 plan describing management of the Lower Gordon River is being reviewed in the context of the new TWWHA Tourism Master Plan, but it is disappointing the scope of new Draft Plan is limited to recreation and tourism use, rather than broader issues that affect the river.
New national polling commissioned by the National Parks Australia Council, a coalition of state-based conservation groups, confirms that the vast majority of Australians do not want to see prime protected areas like National Parks compromised by commercial or large-scale development.
A study into a new overnight walk in the Tyndall Range claims the proposal is feasible, and the government has doubled the funding already committed to take it to $40 million. But the proposed Next Iconic Walk, and in particular its location and selection process, has been criticised by a range of eNGOs, and many aspects of the Feasibility Study reinforce these earlier concerns.
We have been raising concerns about the 37km of mountain bike (MtB) tracks proposed for the slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington in Riding the Mountain, and in particular a range of planning issues, since May 2020.
A nationwide opinion poll has found 90 per cent of Australians support the protection of Australia’s wilderness areas. Support is high across the political spectrum, with 86 per cent of Coalition voters, 92 per cent of Labor voters and 94 per cent of Greens voters agreeing wilderness should be protected.
The Tyndall Range was announced as the government’s chosen option for their 'Next Iconic Walk' development in July 2019. We have prepared a background report describing the current state of play.
It's been quite a journey to a hearing at the Planning Appeal Tribunal. This is not just an appeal about a tourism development in a Tasmanian national park. We anticipate that the outcome will set a national precedent.
Over 200,000 ha was burnt this summer, including about 93,000 ha in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. A number of fire-sensitive areas have been seriously impacted or destroyed. Is this the new norm?
The Development Application for helicopter-accessed tourist accommodation at Lake Malbena, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, was rejected by 6 votes to 3 at the Central Highlands Council meeting on 26th February 2019.
There would be significant loss of wilderness character at Lake Malbena and in the surrounding country if the proposed helicopter-based tourism development proceeds.
