News & Media Releases
Current or topical items related to our ongoing campaigns.
MEDIA RELEASE – Mount Wellington Cable Car – Minimum Requirements for Development Application
In the absence of the long promised Development Application for the proposed Cable Car, Residents Opposed to the Cable Car and the Tasmanian National Parks Association have compiled a comprehensive document outlining those issues that they feel should be addressed.
MEDIA RELEASE – World Heritage Ancient Gondwanan Communities at Risk
Nature Photographers Tasmania and the Tasmanian National Parks Association have called on the State Government and its agencies, the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Fire Service, to urgently prioritise critical wilderness fires in western Tasmania. In particular, the wildfire burning at Mt Anne imminently and directly threatens ancient and irreplaceable Gondwanic plant communities.
Tourism Master Plan for TWWHA commenced
We welcome, in principle, commencement of work on the long-awaited Tourism Master Plan for the TWWHA but are concerned it will provide further endorsement of the state government’s policy of ‘unlocking’ the TWWHA and avoid any scrutiny of the many tourism proposals already being considered under the Expressions of Interest process.
Lake Malbena development – impact on wilderness
There would be significant loss of wilderness character at Lake Malbena and in the surrounding country if the proposed helicopter-based tourism development proceeds.
More new tourism operations in parks
Three more new tourism operations in parks on Tasmania's east coast have been approved without any public scrutiny via the secretive Expressions of Interest process.
Draft Freycinet Master Plan 2018
Planning should start with consideration of the experience to be provided for visitors and the options available to achieve this. Serious consideration must be given to options beyond simply upgrading infrastructure to cope with ever increasing visitor numbers.
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 26 – Autumn 2018
A theme that occurs in most of the articles in this issue of TNPA News is the pressure to ‘open up’ wild and undisturbed parts of Tasmania for so-called ecotourism developments.
Newsletter No 25 – Spring 2017
A theme common to a number of articles in this issue of TNPA News is that Tasmania is being ‘loved to death’. But maybe ‘love’ is not the appropriate word, ‘visited to death’ would be more apt, for ‘love’ implies care.
Newsletter No 24 – Summer 2017
The theme of most articles in this edition of our newsletter is again the lack of adequate long-term planning and/or resources to facilitate this.
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.
Lake Malbena – Development Application for tourist accommodation
Establishing that the proposed development of a helicopter-based luxury tourism development at Lake Malbena is “in accordance” with the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan 2016 is central to its assessment against the requirements of the Central Highlands Planning Scheme.
Lake Malbena development – impact on wilderness
There would be significant loss of wilderness character at Lake Malbena and in the surrounding country if the proposed helicopter-based tourism development proceeds.
Lake Malbena assessment – who is responsible for what?
The Commonwealth’s role is very limited . The main mechanism for formal assessment against the requirements of the management plan is the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service’s Reserve Activity Assessment.
Cockle Creek Precinct draft site plan
The TNPA would be unlikely to support further expansion of visitor facilities into currently undisturbed areas; i.e. if visitor numbers continue to increase, an alternative approach is likely to be needed.
Dove Lake Viewing Shelter draft Development Proposal & EIS
No clear rationale for the proposed viewing shelter has been presented and it comprises one relatively minor component of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan without there having been any opportunity to express an opinion on the merits or otherwise of the overarching plan.
Refining the Definition of Wilderness
Offering a scholarly perspective on the definition of wilderness, this publication appraises the effectiveness of existing definitions and recommends a definition that focuses on experiential as well as ecological values.
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.