News & Media Releases
Current or topical items related to our ongoing campaigns.
Changes to EOI process for tourism opportunities in parks
Why has the government chosen to announce some tinkering with the Expressions of Interest for Tourism Opportunities in National Parks (EOI) process while stalling on the reforms to the process that really matters, the Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA)?
Private land sale adjacent to Tasman National Park
The Tasmanian National Parks Association has called on the Tasmanian Government to extend Tasman National Park near Crescent Bay, close to Port Arthur, by acquiring a property recently offered for sale.
Cradle Mountain Centenary – Talking Point
As we mark the centenary of one of our most significant natural wonders this week, it’s timely to reflect on what one of our most important eco-tourism pioneers envisioned for 'The Reserve'.
Cradle Mountain Centenary – 16th May 2022
The Tasmanian National Parks Association is calling for the area around Cradle Mountain to be protected from over-development including an intrusive cable car, a century after the area was reserved on 16 May 1922 to protect its scenery.
Unlocking Our Parks
It is time to rethink Tasmania’s exploitation of our national parks as a resource for growing the tourism industry. We need to move beyond the simplistic ‘unlocking’ approach and develop a more nuanced policy that acknowledges and protects the values that attract visitors to Tasmania’s parks in the first place. What will it take to make the state government realise that its ‘unlocking’ policy is compromising the concept of a national park?
National Parks are for protection not development – new national poll
New national polling commissioned by the National Parks Australia Council, a coalition of state-based conservation groups, confirms that the vast majority of Australians do not want to see prime protected areas like National Parks compromised by commercial or large-scale development.
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 33 – Autumn 2022
In this issue, we describe the history of Tasmania’s national park system, and note the centenary of one of Tasmania’s most famous parks. It is apparent that tourism development issues are not new, and disturbing current trends are noted. But there are also encouraging results from a recent national poll.
TNPA News No 32 – Spring 2021
The 20 years campaigns timeline in this issue of TNPA News gives an impressive picture of the work and achievements of the TNPA since its inception. It also, more soberingly, shows that some of the same battles have had to be fought over and again!
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.
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.
Review of State Planning Provisions
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.
Return of land to Aboriginal people
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.
Lower Gordon River Recreation Zone Plan
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.
National Parks are for protection not development – new national poll
New national polling commissioned by the National Parks Australia Council, a coalition of state-based conservation groups, confirms that the vast majority of Australians do not want to see prime protected areas like National Parks compromised by commercial or large-scale development.
Tyndall Range ‘ Next Iconic Walk’ Feasibility Study
A study into a new overnight walk in the Tyndall Range claims the proposal is feasible, and the government has doubled the funding already committed to take it to $40 million. But the proposed Next Iconic Walk, and in particular its location and selection process, has been criticised by a range of eNGOs, and many aspects of the Feasibility Study reinforce these earlier concerns.
Draft Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan
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.
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.