News & Media Releases
Current or topical items related to our ongoing campaigns.
Proposed new walker infrastructure for Walls of Jerusalem
Proposed walker infrastructure upgrades at the Walls of Jerusalem are overdue but PWS shows no sign of addressing the crucial associated issue of managing visitor numbers.
Conservationists appeal Lake Malbena decision
We have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of Tasmania against the decision granting a permit to develop helicopter-accessed visitor accommodation at Halls Island, Lake Malbena.
RMPAT final Malbena decision released
RMPAT has issued a disappointing final decision today (18 Dec 2019) regarding the proposed Lake Malbena development. However, the battle is by no means lost. We will be carefully considering the Tribunal’s decision and will be taking advice with respect to our legal options.
TWWHA Tourism Master Plan discussion paper released
The Tasmanian government has recently released, with little fanfare, a discussion paper entitled “Towards a Tourism Master Plan” (for the TWWHA). Aspects appear positive but the paper is general and our fundamental concerns cannot be allayed until we see the draft Tourism Master Plan itself, scheduled for public release and comment in March 2020.
Government report to UNESCO re the TWWHA
The Australian Government's latest report to UNESCO's World Heritage Centre was released on 1 December 2019. This was one of the requirements of the 2015 monitoring mission to the TWWHA. The situation is not so good as the report makes out.
Decision on Wilderness Society’s challenge to EPBC decision
The Federal Court judgement vindicates TWS’ decision to challenge the original Ministerial decision that the Halls Island proposal was not a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Our Newsletter
Our newsletter 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.
Newsletter 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.
Newsletter 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.
Newsletter No 27 – Spring 2018
Underlying most of the articles in this issue of TNPA News is the theme of the longstanding and ongoing struggle between those who strive to protect what is unique and special about Tasmania - its natural and cultural values and its way of life – and those who see in our wild places only opportunities for attaining personal wealth and/or power.
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.
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.
Waterfall Valley redevelopment 2019
Funded by a State government election promise, Waterfall Valley is the first of several overnight nodes on the Overland Track being redeveloped. The RAA documentation fails to encompass the full breadth of changes proposed or desirable for this iconic site.
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.
Revised Freycinet Master Plan 2019
The previous draft of the Freycinet Master Plan (2018) contained many issues of concern and the revised (2019) version remains completely tourism-focussed and unacceptable.
Summary of the 2018-19 Tasmanian fire season
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?
Lake Malbena Development Application rejected
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.
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.