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 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.
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.
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.
kunanyi MtB tracks – example of a planning failure
We have been raising concerns about the 37km of mountain bike (MtB) tracks proposed for the slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington in Riding the Mountain, and in particular a range of planning issues, since May 2020.
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’.
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.