News & Media Releases
Current or topical items related to our ongoing campaigns.
Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience Master Plan
Released in 2016, the Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience Master Plan is better characterised as an ambit claim from the tourism industry but is still driving development at Cradle despite some glaring inadequacies.
TWWHA Tourism Master Plan
The long-awaited Tourism Master Plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area was released on 1st June 2021. While some content is better than expected, it is not a statutory document and can only provide context and guidance on how the Management Plan should be interpreted and applied.
Maria Island Management Plan
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.
Election Manifesto 2021
In the lead-up to the forthcoming 2021 Tasmanian State election, we have prepared an Election Manifesto listing our major concerns with government policy and practice.
Kooparoona Niara (Great Western Tiers) National Park proposal
A State Government reservation process is an opportunity to create Kooparoona Niara (Great Western Tiers) National Park. The new National Park is a perfect step to realise State Government's aim for Tasmania to be global eco-tourism destination of choice.
Fire at Cradle Mountain
The Trailside Museum at Cradle Mountain, a small historic building located immediately behind the Waldheim carpark was destroyed by fire early on Monday 16 November 2020. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but it is not considered suspicious and lightning is considered the most likely cause.
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 31 – Summer 2021
Tourism-related issues are again discussed in this issue, specifically the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 shutdown to do things differently in future. There is also discussion of issues relevant to the forthcoming TWWHA fire management plan. Reviews of two new books also feature.
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.
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.
kunanyi/Mt Wellington Cableway Development Application
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’.
Wilderness Support Opinion Poll 2021
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.
Reservation of Future Potential Production Forest Land in TWWHA
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.
TWWHA Biosecurity Strategy
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.
Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan
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.
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.