News & Media Releases
Current or topical items related to our ongoing campaigns.
EoI process criticised, RAA not fit for purpose
The Report by the Auditor-General into the state government’s EoI process criticises both the EoI process and the Parks and Wildlife Service’s Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process, most notably ‘(the) RAA is not geared to deal with more complex proposals received through EoI’.
Lk Malbena development is a “controlled action”
Good news regarding the proposed helicopter-accessed tourism development at Lake Malbena from the Commonwealth Environment Minister Sussan Ley recently; “I have determined that the likely impacts to the unique values of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area warrant a formal assessment”.
Lake Malbena decision appealed to Full Court
TWS and TNPA have filed an appeal against the 6 July 2020 decision by Tasmania’s Supreme Court relating to helicopter-accessed visitor accommodation at Lake Malbena. They will be arguing that the Court made a number of legal errors in reaching its decision.
Supreme Court appeal of Lake Malbena decision
BAD NEWS! The Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal by The Wilderness Society and ourselves, against the Planning Tribunal decision regarding the Lake Malbena development proposal, was handed down on 13th July. Neither of our grounds of appeal succeeded.
Lake Rodway Commercial Hut Proposal
The proposal for a commercial hut (lodge) at Lake Rodway, below Cradle Mountain, has now reached the detailed planning stage. We are opposed to this proposal on the grounds of impacts on the natural environment and the experience of other users of the area, but in the event that the proposal proceeds, the hut and the proliferation of other facilities should be redesigned to minimise its footprint.
Draft TWWHA Tourism Master Plan
Together with other conservation groups, we have declined to participate in the consultation process on this Master Plan on the basis that it can only influence tourism policy within the parameters set by the TWWHA Management Plan and so does not represent a serious attempt to strike a considered balance between conservation and preservation.
Our Journal
Our journal, TNPA News, is published twice a year. It aims to provide informative articles on issues related to national parks and other reserves, as well as updates on our activities and campaigns. Below are links to recent issues.
TNPA News No 30 – Winter 2020
This issue has a focus on Tasmania's marine protected areas, with many stunning photos accompanying a detailed article. Other articles discuss various threats to the values of some terrestrial reserves - potential overuse at the Walls of Jerusalem, the major new track and hut(s) proposed for the Tyndall Range area, and the likely long term impact of the 2019 wildfires.
TNPA News No 29 – Spring 2019
This issue features articles discussing the State government's current approach to public consultation, an introduction to some of Tasmania's 'other' reserves, notes a missed opportunity for progressive backcountry management, and includes an opinion piece arguing that the style and approach to tourism being promoted at present will ultimately fail.
TNPA News No 28 – Autumn 2019
This edition of TNPA News includes articles discussing the wildfires that affected a significant tract of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area last summer, describes our ongoing concerns regarding planning and management issues on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, and highlights Rocky Cape National Park in photos.
Reports & Submissions
We make formal and informal representations on a range of issues concerning national park and reserve management and also prepare periodic reports on related subjects. Below are links to some recent reports and submissions.
Towards a TWWHA Fire Management Plan
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.
Tyndall Range ‘Next Iconic Walk’ proposal – state of play
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.
Lake Malbena development proposal – background & summary
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.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington Foothills Mountain Bike Track Network Plan
The TNPA agrees that the foothills of kunanyi provide a popular and valued resource for local mountain bike riders but their interests should not be considered in isolation from kunanyi’s high natural and cultural values, including a long history of recreational use by walkers.
Lower Gordon River Recreation Zone Plan
The successful 1998 plan describing recreation and tourism use of the Lower Gordon River is being reviewed in the context of the new TWWHA Tourism Master Plan, itself still being drafted.
Proposed new walker infrastructure for Walls of Jerusalem 2020
Most of the proposals are supported but they implement only selected components of a package of related recommendations – all infrastructure based – while PWS shows no sign of acknowledging or addressing the crucial other component of recreation management – managing visitor numbers.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association offers an independent voice for Tasmania’s national parks and reserves, to ensure they are managed for the conservation of the values for which they were proclaimed.