Under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, the State Planning Provisions determine what land uses and developments are allowed, are prohibited or may be permitted by a local council in particular zones. The Act requires the provisions to be reviewed every 5 years.
The State Government published a consultation paper about changing the Aboriginal Lands Act 1995 so it provides better for the return of land to Tasmania’s Aboriginal people. The paper included a suggestion that reserves could be identified for return.
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.
Wild feral deer are a significant threat to the natural values of Tasmania’s unique and valuable national parks and protected areas. While there are some positive initiatives in the draft Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan, fundamentally, wild deer should be managed as an invasive species and biosecurity risk.
Fire is perhaps the greatest challenge for the management of the TWWHA, particularly in the context of a changing climate. A fire management plan is being prepared. We comment on the the various PWS fire issue discussion papers released in September 2020.
The proposal is totally inappropriate in an area where the provision of recreational and tourism uses and opportunities is expected to be ‘consistent the preservation or protection of the natural beauty of the land or of any features of the land of natural beauty or scenic interest’.
The review of the Maria Island National Park management plan has finally commenced. Visitor numbers have been rising rapidly and further increases are anticipated, but it seems no consideration is being given to limiting visitor numbers.
A review of the tenure of all land other than national parks within the TWWHA is long overdue. National park should be the default tenure for a World Heritage Area.
A Biosecurity Strategy for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is under development. We hope that it will direct some much needed attention and resources onto biosecurity, which has been seriously neglected in recent years.
The population and range of wild fallow deer in Tasmania is expanding. These feral animals are an increasing risk to some parks and reserves. The Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan must prescribe and provide for the eradication of deer from conservation reserves.
