TNPATASMANIAN NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION INC NEWSNewsletter No 15 Winter 2012

THANK YOU

The TNPA Committee would like to thank the following people and organisations who have over the last months TNPA Celebrates 10th Anniversary volunteered their time to assist the TNPA, or who have helped us in other ways. The TNPA Autumn Walks 2011 &2012 A celebratory cutting of a birthday cake was held during the TNPA fundraiser at Bec Johnson, Rosemary Bruce, Todd Dudley, Rob Hill, the Stanley Burbury theatre in September 2011 to mark the 10th anniversary of Lesley Nicklason, Sally Salier, Janet Stone, Bruce Wilson for leading walks; and Bec Johnson and Simone Yemm, the Association. our ‘Autumn Walks’ coordinators for 2011 and 2012 For those who may not know the origins of the TNPA, it lies with another respectively. organisation called the Friends of the Quiet Lands. Formed in the year 2000, it TNPA Fundraiser ‘My Lake Pedder - with Olegas led the public response against a proposal to provide helicopter landing sites Truchanas’ Melva Truchanas, Simon Olding, Adam Beeson, the in the Tasmanian Wilderness W orld Heritage Area. The success of their eff orts Tasmanian Land Conservancy and Fullers Bookshop. can be gained from the fact that of 651 public submissions received, only 12 The 2011 Buttongrass Ball supported the proposal to allow helicopter landing sites in the TWWHA, and 3 The Verandah Coots & Hornetts Nest, David Wanless, of these were from the project proponents. Plants of Tasmania, and the Folk Federation of Tasmania. Having successfully fought this proposal, members felt that there was a need for The TNPA Salamance Stalls Jean Elder, Rob & Toni Hill and Debbie Quarmby. an ongoing organisation, like those which existed in other States, which would Keep the Capes Wild Website act as the public voice on issues impacting reserved lands within Tasmania. John Sampson, Simone Yemm The application to register the TNPA as an incorporated body was signed 27 Ted Mead and Chris Bell for photos August 2001 and the fi rst public meeting to launch the new organisation was TNPA Website Simone Yemm held on 25th September 2001. About 50-60 people attended that meeting which TNPA News Production (this edition) Ricoh Business Centre Hobart, Bec Kurczok, Kevin was held at Cow in Murray St. Kiernan, Amy Lin and Paul Smith. And since this small beginning the TNPA has indeed positioned itself as the Secretarial Assistance to the TNPA Simone Yemm. public voice on issues impacting on conservation reserves in Tasmania and Other Support & Assistance we thank all our members and supporters who have joined us on this journey Chris Bell, Greg Buckman, Jenny Burnett, Pam Fenerty, Heather Galloway, Paul Smith, Environment Tasmania, during this time. EDO Tasmania and the National Parks Australia Council.

To identify, protect, conserve, present, and where appropriate, rehabilitate the area and to transmit that heritage to future generations in as good or better condition than at present. Overall objectives of the World Heritage Area Management Plan 1999 2 TNPA NEWS 15

EDITORIAL

This is the 10th anniversary edition of TNPA News and so we have included a number of articles that look to the future of our protected areas, how they might look down the track and how we could better manage them. Thanks to those who have contributed so much of their thought and time to these articles.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S PEN: Tourism is not just about building things – it is about being smarter

According to an article in the Mercury (24 March 2012) The website dedicated to this walk explains its popular- Tasmanian tourism operators say they have a world-class ity. Based on a partnership between tourism operators and product to sell but given reports that visitors to the State Parks Victoria, it offers the freedom of choice for the tourist have recently declined by five percent argue that a lack of in options such the number of days, type of accommoda- money for marketing is choking the industry. tion, walks and price, together with wide choice of extra However, is it just about spending more to promote the hospitality services such as gourmet meals, massages and State? Or, as the Premier Lara Giddings was quoted as say- interpretative wildlife and cultural tours. ing, is it about spending existing budgets in a smarter way? In particular, by offering transport to and from accom- If the Premier is right, why then is the government heavily modations, ranging from basic camp-sites to modern eco- promoting its proposal to build the Three Capes Track with- lodges, the walk provides a key source of product diversifi- in the Tasman National Park at a cost of $33million instead cation and innovation to the market and is instrumental in of promoting the diverse and world-class tourism opportu- personalising the experience for many visitors. nities which already exist on the Tasman Peninsula? For example, whilst commentating during the last Winter Extravagant claims that 10,000 people will walk the Olympics, Katarina Witt, dual ice-figure skating gold medal- Three Capes Track per year must be questioned given that list, talked ecstatically about her diverse experiences whilst the world-famous Overland Track still only attracts around doing the Great Ocean Walk—a promoters dream! 8,000 walkers per year. The lure of the Three Capes Track will The type of walking model adopted for the Great Ocean also be eroded given that camping, one of the great joys for Walk would clearly suit situations such as that found on the many of being outdoors, will not be an option. Tasman Peninsula where a diverse range of visitor options al- Given the competition from existing walking tracks with- ready exist. in Tasmania, together with its high cost and impact on the This would build on the distinct advantages that the re- conservation values of the Tasman National Park, the Tasma- gion has as a tourism destination. These include Port Arthur nian National Parks Association believes that there is a bet- - one of Australia’s great cultural icons, some of Australia’s ter alternative which is more appropriate for the manage- most magnificent coastal scenery, which is already accessi- ment of the Tasman National Park and which will provide ble via more than 30 day and multi-day walks (including the greater economic benefits. Tasman Coastal Trail - one of five existing Great Bushwalks in This alternative is based on the concept behind the Great Tasmania), and a diverse range of other tourist opportuni- Ocean Walk in Victoria. This walk along the coast from ties provided via a host of existing tourism operators. Apollo Bay to within sight of the magnificent 12 Apostles is While there is already a large number of visitors to Port presently attracting around 45,000 visitors per annum but Arthur, the question that needs to be asked is why these seems to have been ignored by the backers of the Three visitors are not extending their stay and making use of the Capes Track. other experiences presently on offer in the region? And why TNPA NEWS 15 3 will building another walking track change this when a di- verse range of walking experiences already exist? We believe that what is presently missing is not another track but an integrated tourism strategy for the Tasman Pen- insula based on upgrading the existing day and multi-day walks and combining them with the cultural, outdoor ad- venture and ‘hospitality’ experiences offered by the region. Consider, for example, the following illustrative itinerary for interstate visitors: Saturday Arrive Hobart, drive to and explore Eaglehawk Neck and surrounds including the Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen, Blowhole and Doo Town. B&B accommodation and local dining. Evening walk along Egg Beach with moon- lit views across Pirates Bay. Sunday Day walk to Cape Raoul with magnificent views over Australia’s highest coastal cliffs and the mountainous surf of Shipstern Cape Pillar by Chris Bell Bluff. B&B accommodation, intimate dinner and spa. Whilst this option includes some camping, transport ar- Monday rangements like those on the Great Ocean Walk could pro- Walk through Remarkable Cave, along Crescent Bay and vide off-park accommodation for those seeking a more up- visit the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur. B&B check in and market option. Indeed, the ability to offer flexible transport dine before investigating the paranormal on a Port Arthur arrangements appears to be central to the success of this Ghost Tour. tourism experience. And of course endless variations on Tuesday this theme exist, mixing the diverse walks and experiences Start Tasman Coastal Trail – Magnificent coastal cliff scenery found in the region within the time available. from Tasman Arch to Fortesque Bay via Tatnells Hill with Properly marketed under a banner such as the Great Tas- extensive views. End day swimming and either camp under man Coastal Experience, using a dedicated website, promo- the stars or stay in local accommodation using courtesy tional advertisements, social media and a TV documentary transport. using well known personalities, we believe such a diversified Wednesday product would attract a greater number and range of tour- Continue Tasman Coastal Trail – Take in the views to the ists to the region, enticing them to extend their stay beyond Totem Pole, Candlestick and the Lanterns from Cape Hauy a visit to Port Arthur, and bring greater economic benefits. before proceeding over Mount Fortesque with panoramic Alternatively, having people spending all their time on a views of Cape Pillar. Camp at Retakunna Creek. single walk and staying in huts within the park, as presently Thursday proposed, offers a limited product limiting both the range Continue Tasman Coastal Trail – Walk via Perdition Ponds to of visitors and the benefits to a few. The Blade, Chasm Lookout and Cape Pillar, with soaring views Indeed, a unique advantage of the Tasman Peninsula is across to Tasman Island. Camp at Bare Knoll. that there is a community living in juxtaposition with the Friday Tasman National Park and ideally a mutually beneficial re- Walk out through coastal forest to Fortesque Bay for lationship between tourism operators should be nurtured well-deserved swim. B&B accommodation, massage and rather than a competitive one. celebratory dinner. Tourism is a very competitive market. We therefore need Saturday to be innovative and creative in designing and marketing Relax and swim while exploring Lime Bay Reserve and Roaring our products and offer experiences that people seek, not Beach or visit the convict past at the probation stations at just build more things at great expense and hope that visi- Nubeena, Koonya and Premaydena. Or get friendly with a tors will come. local Tasmanian devil. B&B accommodation and last chance The Premier is right in believing that we need to be smart- for savouring the local produce. er, but wrong in believing that the Three Capes Track will solve Tasmania’s tourism problems. Sunday For further information, please visit Spectacular coastal boat cruise (ideally back to Hobart). www.keepthecapeswild.or.au Flight home, head buzzing with exquisite memories! Robert Campbell, President 4 TNPA NEWS 15

By Kevin Kiernan

Starlight and Birthright

Image: A star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. NASA/ESA. Starless, moonless night; black cat on a coal-shed door; Licorice on a lightless floor; just what the hell’s this painting meant to be? -“Vincent” (Martin Pearson, 19XX) Australian satirist Martin Pearson’s rewriting of the classic what he considered to be the key elements of Australia’s Don McLean song about Vincent van Gogh was triggered heritage, Australian historian Manning Clark answered “The by Pearson’s distress at visiting the National Gallery to see Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Aboriginal culture, and an the old masters, only to find them replaced by modern unparalleled view of the Milky Way”. I found the scope of his works, including simple black panels. But if Vincent were vision thought provoking. I remembered it especially when alive today he himself may actually have been reduced to my children were at school and we occasionally provided a painting, not the Starry Night’s for which he is famed, but temporary home for exchange students from Japan. Upon featureless monotonic canvases similar to those of which arriving back home of an evening they would sometimes Pearson complains, albeit of a dirty grey colour rather than halt transfixed in the cold darkness as they alighted from black, because there is a good chance he would be among the car, or stand for hours out on the back deck shivering, as the 99% of the residents of the EU who live under over-lit they gazed in wonder at the stars which their home skies ob- and polluted skies, 50% of whom can’t see our own Milky scured, and hence which they had never previously known Way galaxy. Imagine the arts, literature and music without to have existed in such clarity and profusion. It was a timely the stars. What magic would we find in a Picasso mundanely message for one such as I, who had grown up so used to entitled “Faun and Neon Light”? Neither St. Exupery’s Little the skies above the wilderness where much of my time was Prince, nor even Dr Who, would have been able to visit us; spent as to take them for granted. Until then I had given no worse still, without the moon, “spoon” might instead have thought to the way in which profligate misuse of artificial been rhymed with “prune”. And as a descriptor of human as- light, combined with other forms of atmospheric pollution, piration, “reaching for the light globes” somehow lacks the had robbed so many children of the right to learn their place panache of “reaching for the stars”. The more serious mes- in existence as their ancestors had learned it for millennia, sage in all this is that the night skies beneath which we hu- sitting at the feet of their parents and grandparents as they mans have evolved are woven through our very being, and traced on the blackboard of the firmament the story of how they are important to us. Moreover, we equate stars with it all came to be, and were taught the cues which the stars quality, and the more stars the better, whether to describe provided for journeying, harvesting, cropping and safe pas- the quality of hotels, restaurants or actors in movies. Why sage through the world. There was no need for background then are we so blasé as, one by one, the real stars are being noise when humanity could still hear the beauty in silence, snuffed out? and no need to defend the stars until society decided to When asked in a newspaper interview some years ago switch off the night. TNPA NEWS 15 5

So I was delighted and intrigued on visiting New Zealand Government, the McKenzie District Council, the McKenzie a couple of years ago to learn of a proposal to formally de- Tourism and Development Board, the national Committee fend the night skies around the south island town of Tekapo, for UNESCO NZ, ICOMOS NZ, the Royal Society of NZ, and and indeed that this process had actually been underway numerous other organisations. since 1981 when the McKenzie District Council established The people of the district are proud of their night skies. its first ordinance aimed at controlling pollution of the night Tekapo has a permanent population of ~400 but about skies by excessive light. Part of the impetus was the pres- 3000 people pass through the town each day – part of the ence on the outskirts of the town of the Mt John Observa- 1.4 million people who now visit the Tekapo/Aoraki Mt Cook tory, opened in 1965 and the most readily accessible major area annually. Tekapo is also an important ski resort destina- astronomical observatory in the world, underscoring for the tion, and must cater both for the entertainment and other locals not only the significance of their sky views but also night-time requirements of that clientele, and a popular their potential as a tourist drawcard in a world that is pro- holiday destination in summer. Moreover, as the site of ma- gressively turning off the stars. Canterbury University and jor hydro-electric developments, electricity runs through Nagoya University (Japan) have since established a joint the veins of local culture. Hence, the fact that the town is partnership with a private company to use one of the obser- able to accommodate these requirements alongside effec- vatories for tourism. tive measures to safeguard night-time darkness highlights Earth’s atmosphere imposes limits on what is possible in just how practical it is to eliminate light pollution anywhere terms of optical astronomy, and as we fill it with artificial if only people choose to do so. light, gases and particulate pollutants, we create increas- In order to protect the night sky, McKenzie District Council ing difficulties for professional astronomers. Even for the Ordinance 1981, Section 11, required the installation of spe- world’s largest collection of telescopes sitting atop Mauna cialised street lighting on new subdivisions, under the um- Kea on Hawaii local lights are posing difficulties, and those brella of the Town and Country Planning Act. More recently of distant Honolulu are an increasing problem. Hence, as- updated, the Lighting Ordinance in the 2004 McKenzie Dis- tronomers were probably the first to notice the diminishing trict Plan is now included in the National Resource Manage- of night-time sky clarity, and to make effective representa- ment Act 1991. Among its provisions are requirements that tions that it should be addressed. As early as 1989 they had all street lights be of sodium type, that all must be shielded, launched a campaign for Dark Skies in the UK. and all must face downwards. The zone of restricted outdoor Propagated light that reaches the Earth’s atmospheric lighting now extends from near Burkes Pass in the east to envelope from space may be reflected, refracted, absorped near Lake Benmore and the former hydro-electric construc- or diffracted by its various gases and particles. It is the dis- tion town of Twizel in the south, and for 30 km westwards, persal or light by air molecules that makes stars appear to including all of lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, to the boundary of twinkle, and especially so when they are close to horizon the World Heritage Area of the Southern Alps. where the viewer observes them through a greater thick- But as enthusiastic as I am about the Tekapo initiative, it ness of atmosphere than when looking directly upwards. seems to me that it is not enough to simply save the stars in The same is true of artificial light that is directed upwards or a few special places. I for one do not want vistas of the stars sideways into the atmosphere instead of downwards where available only if we travel to “star sanctuaries”. And as signifi- it is needed by people. The very commonly used mercury cant as star-scapes may be for the tourism industry – indeed vapour lamps (MVLs) are particularly problematic, because a potentially huge economic asset given that world tourism they produce strong emissions, especially ultra-violet (UV), has become the driver of the largest ever peacetime move- making them the worst light type when it comes to dif- ment of people - nor do I wish to see the stars become mere fusing light into the atmosphere, and are they close to the commodities accessible only upon paying the required fees wave length of light from nebulae and thus mask it. Blue to tourism entrepeneurs. The stars are the birthright of us wave lengths are shorter and more easily scattered than all. The first and most obvious question is, why shine light longer red wave lengths; white light causes most harm and upwards? What good does it do? Who is it that is walking yellow light is intermediate. Gas emissions and suspended around on the clouds who needs such light to guide their particles released by human activity compound the issues. way? And generous though the gesture may be, it is also The concept of a “park in the sky” at Tekapo arose following a very expensive waste – of energy; of the environment a public meeting run by the local McKenzie District Council despoiled to produce and transmit that energy; and of the in about 2002, involving planners, experts and locals, which money that pays for the time the switch is unnecessarily on. initiated a blueprint policy document, the Tekapo Vision, a The Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage” key element of which was “That we protect the dark sky”. recognises the possible World Heritage significance of 910 The proposal to establish a Lake Tekapo/ Aoraki Mt Cook properties which by their concept and/or the environmen- Starlight Reserve, and to seek World Heritage status for it, tal situation have significance in relation to celestial objects has since been strongly supported by the New Zealand or events; (2) representations of the sky and/or celestial ob- 6 TNPA NEWS 15

jects or events; (3) observations and instruments; and (4) us. But then comes Earth’s atmosphere, of which 99% lies properties with an important link to the history of astron- within just 31 km of the Earth’s surface, and here, a mere omy. But let’s look at it another way. We live in a very privi- 102.3 millionths of a second before it reaching its destina- leged position, for if our own little solar system had more tion, we thwart the arrival of this ancient starlight by the stars than just the Sun, then day and night would not exist light and air pollution we generate, and we turn our back on as we know them, nor our view of the stars; and the pace of this Galactic Heritage, turning off the night and turning on our Earth’s rotation allows us to see them regularly, in addi- the television instead. tion to providing liveable temperatures denied our slower Moreover, what about that the impacts of artificial light turning planetary neighbours with their long glacial nights. upon the human experience of otherwise natural places, And if we lay not near the outer edge of the Milky Way galaxy such as that relentless sweeping of Freycinet National Park but instead in an area of more closely clustered stars, such by the un-masked Cape Toureville Lighthouse, penetrating starlight as we know would also be denied us. Thus, this tiny unnecessarily far inland beyond the last hope for any se- planet that each of us visits for just a cosmic blink of an eye is verely grounded mariner who might have benefited; or the a very special grandstand to the stars, and our view of them prospect of night-time views from Mt Rufus being intruded is not merely a World Heritage, but a Galactic Heritage. Do upon by lights from the proposed Pumphouse Point resort? we accord this extraordinary privilege the value it deserves? Such intrusive lights in our protected areas, and the increas- The light the stars shine towards us travels at about 300,000 ing domes of light above adjacent cities and towns, are also km/second, and in one year traverses 9, 460, 800, 000, 000 likely to have implications for some of the biota in our pro- km of emptiness. Our local neighbourhood star, the Sun, is tected areas. Such considerations deserve greater attention a mere ~149.6 million kms from Earth, its light taking about in reserve management planning, so I will explore some of 8.2 minutes to reach us. The furthest starlight visible to the them in subsequent issues of this newsletter. naked human eye on Earth takes about 4,075 years to reach

By Anne McConnell

Putting the ‘Values’ into Conservation Estate Planning

How good is the management planning for our national They then summarise the values that are being conserved parks and conservation reserves at present? Could it be one by one, and this summary is usually accompanied by made better? And if so, what would it take? the policy and objectives for managing that value, and also The following brief exploration of terrestrial protected a list of actions (recommendations) for how this should be area management planning in Tasmania looks at a critical achieved. At least half of each plan is generally dedicated to issue—that of the ongoing, questionable application of ‘use describing and providing for uses and potential uses, and and development based’ management zoning; and makes then for dealing with consequences of direct and indirect some suggestions for how this could be addressed, so that human uses (eg, fire, weed, feral animals). management planning would really provide for the conser- One of the other things you will note is that the objec- vation of values and give clarity to the basis for this. tives and recommendations for the conservation of the vari- ous values and for the various uses are rarely, if ever, inte- Management Planning Today grated; and information about how these aspects are to be If you look at national park management plans to day, balanced or prioritised is rarely made explicit in the plans. plans that are considered to represent the peak of man- Admittedly this is difficult to do, but not doing this means agement planning for our parks and other conservation that the decision rests with individual reserve managers, reserves, you will find that they have a reasonably similar putting them in a very difficult position, which not unsur- format. They tell us what the land area is that is being man- prisingly leads to very re-active management. aged, its conservation status, the relevant legislation that The main mechanism used in management plans to in- applies, and perhaps a little about the history of reservation. tegrate different management requirements and to provide TNPA NEWS 15 7 balance is management zoning. Most management plans in- Values Based Management clude a map showing management zones for the plan area. The ongoing, entrenched use of ‘use based’ zoning for These management zones indicate the priorities for man- protected areas, including the highest level protected areas, agement (see Figures 1 and 2), and generally include the our national parks, therefore fails to meet the legislated re- following types of zones - visitor services zones, recreational quirements for conservation. Although one might assume zones and conservation zones. that the current management zoning in reserve manage- Although now a well-established and widespread ap- ment plans is based on the protection of the conservation proach in Australia for park management plans, the ap- values, sadly this is not the case. In most cases the manage- proach as it is used currently appears to be derived from ment zone maps in the various plans are arrived at by simply local government planning rather than being designed for drawing lines around current areas of use (eg, walking tracks the protection of the natural and cultural values protected and visitor centres), and in some cases areas that someone areas are established to safeguard. A key indicator of this is wants to see recreation within. All residual areas then be- that both types of zoning are ‘use and development’ based. come conservation zones, generally termed ‘natural’ zones. Traditionally, and the core intent of local government plan- The planners tend to jiggle boundaries of the human use ning zoning is the recognition of different land uses and zones to avoid impacts to known, highly sensitive values, potential uses, with the zones strongly reflecting this. The but in reality the conservation zones are the ‘waste’ zones zones, for example, include commercial use, residential use, which are left after human use (‘recreation’ in all its many public utilities, industrial use, rural/agricultural use, and rec- guises) has been provided for. reational use. There is also generally some type of ‘environ- Basically then, reserve management zoning, as it is cur- mental management’ zone, which traditionally is used for rently practiced, has nothing to do with values manage- national parks and other conservation reserves. ment, and as such is completely unsuited to ensuring that While this use based zoning may be appropriate for local natural and cultural values are conserved, or to guiding government planning, is it appropriate for protected areas where and how sustainable recreation might occur. This is that are established for conservation rather than develop- an untenable situation if we are serious about managing the ment? conservation estate for conservation purposes. What is required instead is ‘values based’ management, What do We Management Protected Areas For? and management zoning, not ‘use based’ management and A review of why protected areas are set aside, at least in zoning. This is because ‘use based’ management says ‘okay, Tasmania, suggests very strongly that a ‘use and develop- we have this area of land, what are we going to do with it, ment’ based planning approach for protected areas is not how will we use it?’, while ‘values based’ management says appropriate. This is because, not surprisingly, protected ar- ‘okay we have this area of land which has these natural and/ eas are essentially about natural and cultural values protec- or cultural values that we need to conserve, how are we go- tion. In Tasmania, the legislated purpose of a national park ing to do this?’. It may not sound like a big shift in thinking is for— or management, but the difference that is made by moving The protection and maintenance of the natural and from one mind set to the other is profound. cultural values of the area of land while providing for It is interesting as well as disappointing that protected ecologically sustainable recreation consistent with area planning has failed to make this transition, because conserving those values.1 Australia, as a nation, is in some respects at the forefront Similarly, State Reserves are for the protection and main- of ‘values based management’, having been using this ap- tenance of natural and cultural values, and also sites, places proach in relation to cultural heritage management since and uses of significance to Aboriginal people, and again the late 1980s. From the 1980s, Australia’s lead has encour- ‘ecologically sustainable recreation consistent with conserv- aged many other nations to move from ‘use based’ man- ing those values’, and Nature Recreation Areas have a similar agement and to develop and implement their own ‘values purpose. Interestingly Nature Reserves appear to be solely based’ management approaches, and Australia is globally for the conservation of biological and geological values, recognised for this. Today, the ‘values based’ management with ‘use’ not being mentionned at all as a purpose for this approach is well established in Australia in both natural and type of protected area in the legislation. cultural values management, although it would seem that It can be seen therefore that the primary purpose of land in relation to the natural reserve system, this may be restrict- declared as conservation estate in Tasmania is for the con- ed to the policy level only. servation of the natural and cultural values. In some, but not all reserves, recreation is the only other purpose, and even The Basis for Values Based Management then, the legislation requires that recreation must not com- In Australia the basis for ‘values based’ management is es- promise the natural and cultural values of the reserved land. tablished in the both the Australian Natural Heritage Charter 1 Tasmanian Nature Conservation Act 2002, schedule 1. (AIUCN 1996) and the Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of 8 TNPA NEWS 15

Article 7 which states – a statement of natu- ral significance is central to the conservation policy and conservation strategy for a place. If we look again at the management planning and zoning for protected areas in Tasmania, we see that this is where the problem lies. The management plans rarely contain ‘a statement of significance’ (they mostly have a number of separate values statements), and management is not based on the significance of the place. It is also the case that in Tasmania there is rarely good values information for our protected areas.

A New Approach to Management Zoning It is suggested that the management zoning for protected areas is the first place Figure 1 Management zoning in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area to start in addressing this problem. What needs to hap- Management Plan (1999) pen is to do away with the current use zoning that is be- Cultural Significance (Burra Charter) (AICOMOS 1999). Both ing employed and to instead introduce values based zoning. documents are widely used in Australia and endorsed by The first step that is needed is to compile maps of the dif- most state governments and land management agencies. ferent values showing where they occur. Today, with GIS, it These charters include principles for the management of is a relatively simple exercise to translate such values data as natural and cultural heritage. The key principles that estab- we currently possess into layers of spatial data for the differ- lish ‘values based management’ are that – values of signifi- ent values. This can form a central basis for the zoning and cance should be conserved and that the aim of conservation is also a framework for upgrading the values knowledge for to retain significance.2 In other words, conservation manage- our protected areas. ment is about retaining significant values of a place. One issue, and a very real issue that is most likely a reason Both charters also set out a process for conservation that use-based zoning has persisted, is that our knowledge management. This process has the following key steps – of the significant natural and cultural values in our pro- tected areas is far from complete, and in many cases, very patchy with poorly known distributions. This should be rec- Understand (the conservation values of) the 1 tified, but it should not be used an excuse not to proceed. A place mapping approach like this was undertaken for State forests in Tasmania in the 1990s in spite of similar data issues, pro- 2 Assess the significance (of the conservation ducing the Forestry Tasmania Management Decision Classifi- values) of the place cation (MDC).3 It is also an ideal mechanism for identifying gaps in values knowledge and prioritising values research. 3 Development a conservation policy (to protect The second step is to overlay these different spatial the conservation values) (based on obligations values layers and to look at which values are where, de- arising from significance and other factors termine which are areas are the most sensitive are for the affecting the place) management of the values, and ultimately to develop con- servation policy for the values and for the protected area 4 Prepare a conservation (management) plan in question. This is the step that can generate true ‘values (based on the conservation policy) management’ zoning. While values management zoning makes the most sense 5 Manage the place in accordance with the plan for achieving values based management in protected areas, (including monitoring and review) the overlaying of the spatial values layers could be used to derive use based zoning. In this case however, these zones Clearly, this approach requires management to be based would be informed by values occurrence and conservation on a knowledge of the values, with the priority for manage- requirements, which is not currently the case. The preferred ment being the protection of these values. This is made alternative to retaining the use based management zoning explicit in The Australian Natural Heritage Charter (1996) in 3 Management Decision Classifi cation for Zoning in State Forest Manage- 2 Paraphrased from Aust. ICOMOS (1999, Article 2). ment Areas - Users Manual (2011). TNPA NEWS 15 9

via a management plan, but al- lows for sound decisions to be made about what is genuinely sustainable future recreational and other appropriate use. The greater transparency in decision making is likely to engender bet- ter understanding and public support for protected area land management at all levels, and because the approach allows the land manager to easily justify their management intentions in any area, the approach also land managers to better identify and cost management needs and to apply for funding for them. This approach could provide other advantages such as allow- ing more opportunity to utilise use opportunity spectrum analy- sis to inform the use layer (and consider use in a less ambiguous Figure 2 Management zoning in the Tasman National Park Management Plan (2001). way than 'recreation' and 'visitor'). We see the key advantage however as being that. as the primary zoning is however to create the use zones as If government wished, the current use based approach a ‘use overlay’ to primary values based zoning. to management planning could be abandoned immedi- The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service has long been ately in favour of values based planning, with values based aware of issues with the current use based zoning, and has management zoning as a primary mechanism. This is the in recent years started to develop ‘overlays’ of values to help first step. The second step is to start building the values understand the potential impacts of allowed uses on the layers, and the Forestry Tasmania experience indicates that values. Although this is a start in the right direction, it is still within government there is already sufficient information to putting the cart before the horse in planning terms. The cur- start this process. It is time that the government made the rent use based primary zoning for protected areas perpetu- change, showed it can live up to what is required under the ates the myth that we can do what we want in protected current conservation legislation, and showed itself to be se- areas without any impacts on their conservation values. It is rious about conservation land management and to be com- this zoning that also provides governments with the excuse petent in advancing it. to re-zone conservation reserves to accommodate new uses Sources and development whenever they want – because the val- Australia ICOMOS, 1999, The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Con- ues to be conserved are nowhere to be seen. The proposed servation of Places of Cultural Significance (The Burra Charter). (Re- Three Capes Track development in the Tasman National Park vised edition) is a good example. If the management zoning shows you Australian Committee for IUCN, 1996, Australia Natural Heritage can have tracks running around part of the coastline to sce- Charter – Standards and Principles for the Conservation of Places of nic spots, why can’t we have more? The management zon- Natural Heritage Significance. Australian Heritage Commission with ing (see Figure 2) certainly does not give any indication as the, Australian Committee for IUCN, Sydney, NSW. to why this may not be appropriate. Instead, it almost looks Forestry Tasmania, 2011, Management Decision Classification for logical to join up the bits! Zoning in State Forest Management Areas - Users Manual. But, by having ‘values based’ rather than ‘use based’ zon- Parks & Wildlife Service, 1999, Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage ing that is underpinned by values knowledge and spatial Area Management Plan, Department of Primary Industries, Water & mapping of the various natural and cultural values, we Environment, Tasmania. could have a robust zoning that provides for values conser- Parks & Wildlife Service, 2001, Tasman National Park (& Etc.,) Man- vation in the best way we can. Not only this, but such an agement Plan, Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environ- approach is an explicit and transparent decision making ment, Tasmania. process. As such, it not only guides day to day management Tasmanian Government Nature Conservation Act 2002. 10 TNPA NEWS 15

TNPA EVENTS The ‘My Pedder - with Olegas Truchanas’ TNPA Fundraising Evening

Thanks to Melva Truchanas’ wonderful generosity and passion, the TNPA was able to hold a very special fundraising evening in September 2011. Billed as a historically and politically significant event, the cen- trepiece of the evening was the showing of a remas- tered digital version of Olegas Truchanas’ famous Lake Pedder audio-visual. The audio visual show was created by Olegas Truchanas and Ralph Hope-Johnstone in 1971 as part of the campaign to save Lake Pedder, and it was shown extensively in Tasmania, and also shown in venues around Australia. The slide show is a hypnotising sequence of Ole- gas’ stunning images of Lake Pedder, themed to reflect the the Pedder 2000 Committee. Adam’s introduction put the different moods and seasons of the lake, and different visits My Pedder audio-visual into its historical and present day by those who appreciated the uniqueness and beauty of context. Melva Truchanas introduced Adam and the audio- Lake Pedder and campaigned relentlessly to stop the area visual, with some reflective and inspiring words. And for the from being flooded. Using what was advanced technology rest of the night we sat spellbound by Olegas’ fabulous im- at the time, Ralph Hope-Johnstone linked the slides using ages of a natural jewel, now sadly lost below the waters of two projectors to provide a slide show with timed dissolv- the Huon-Serpentine Empoundment – but maybe not lost ing slide changes synchronised to inspiring classical music. forever. After much work in the last 10 years or so, this historic The evening’s presentations were carefully chosen by audio-visual presentation has been remastered into a digi- Melva Truchanas to show that environmental campaigns tal version, and after only one other showing in Tasmania, have both losses and successes, but that it is critical that Melva offered the TNPA the use of the audio-visual to help those of us who care about the world’s natural environment hold a fund raising night.1 work hard to ensure it can be preserved, and that we must The full evening comprised a short movie on the success never give in! the Tasmanian Land Conservancy has had in purchasing The TNPA would like to extend their thanks to all those and managing the Vale of Belvoir, a high altitude grassland, who helped make the evening such a success. Foremost, we in the north west of Tasmania. This was followed by a short would like to thank Melva Truchanas for allowing us to use presentation on the current major TNPA Keep the Capes the My Pedder audio-visual and for her major part in orga- Wild campaign, aimed at stopping the government from nising the evening. Our thanks also to Simon Olding who building a new high impact and economically dubious long handled all the technological aspects of making the audio- distance track in the Tasman National Park and, instead, get- visual work on the night, to Adam Beeson for introducing ting the government to consider the TNPA’s alternative pro- the audio-visual, and to the Tasmanian Land Conservancy posal for a much lower impact and more appropriate walk- for allowing us to use their Vale of Belvoir film on the eve- ing experience. ning. Thanks are also due to Heather Galloway who made These two presentations were followed by a supper the birthday cake, and to those TNPA members who con- break where, with a magnificent large cake, the TNPA cel- tributed to the making and serving of the supper. ebrated its 10th birthday! (see elsewhere). Four foundation And of course, there is the audience who came and members of the TNPA - Robert Campbell (current President), shared the evening and helped make the fundraiser the suc- Chris Bell, Helen Gee and Heather Kirkpatrick – were on cess it was. It was especially wonderful to see a number of hand to cut the cake. people in the audience who were active in the now historic The second half of the evening was the My Pedder audio campaign to save Lake Pedder, and we particularly thank visual, which was introduced by Adam Beeson, Secretary of you for your contribution to conservation back in the 1960s 1 The new digitised My Pedder audio visual was also shown in October and 1970s, and for continuing to carry the flame of conser- 2010 for six weeks at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art’s Exhibi- vation and to keep it burning. tion In The Balance. TNPA NEWS 15 11

By Paul E. Smith Wilderness, remoteness and ‘high conservation value forests’

On 31 October 2011, TNPA wrote to Professor Jonathan is not ‘wilderness’ but something else, such as ‘natural’ land West to point out that the environmentalists (ENGOs) in- (not very remote) or ‘remote’ land (quite remote but not very volved in the Forest Principles Process (which led to the 2011 natural). Only land that is both highly remote and highly Inter-Governmental Agreement, or IGA) appear to have natural would have a strong enough wild character to be overlooked a crucial conservation value in their description called ‘wilderness’. of ‘high conservation value forests’ (HCVF). The conserva- Because wild character is widely regarded as an impor- tion value (CV) at issue here is the potential of an area to tant conservation value, especially when it is strong enough contribute remoteness to adjacent areas. This potential is a to produce wilderness, then land that can be managed to CV because the wild character of land is a CV and an area maintain or enhance the wild character of adjoining land of natural land does not really have this character unless it can be said to have ‘conservation value’. As noted above, this is significantly remote. In their efforts to convince the gen- value is usually referred to as wilderness quality. If manag- eral public that nature should be protected, environmental- ing an area for wild character (‘wilderness quality’) takes ists avoid this somewhat abstract concept in order to focus the form of preventing road construction (or blocking and on the things that anyone can easily be impressed with revegetating existing roads) it may maintain (or restore) - those things that, with little effort, they can see or hear. remoteness, in both that area and land adjacent to it. An So the emphasis is on saving rare and endangered plants area that is managed in such ways to maintain (or produce) and animals, spectacularly old or big trees and forests, and remoteness in adjacent areas has been called a “remoting beautiful natural scenery, including rivers. The strong pub- zone” (Hawes and Heatley 1985 Wilderness Assessment and lic status of science is invoked to support this approach, by Management The Wilderness Society Hobart). Areas in po- environmentalists noting the significance of certain natural sitions that give them the potential to be managed as re- things for biology, pharmacology, geology, geomorphol- moting zones therefore have conservation value (CV) and if ogy, archaeology and the like. However, the wild character such remoting functions are of high value for conservation (otherwise called wildness or wilderness quality) of land has purposes, then these areas have ‘high conservation value’ arguably been the main characteristic that has motivated (HCV). This particular type of CV is generated solely by the many environmentalists in Tasmania. For example, the word position of these areas and not by their condition - which is ‘wilderness’ was deliberately inserted into the name of the a matter of what is on and under its surface, such as its biol- Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area to emphasize ogy, geology, geomorphology and archaeology. In addition the major value it was intended to protect. to a potential to function as a remoting zone, an area may So what is wildness, wild character and wilderness? In have two other types of positional CV. These are that if it is contrast to the evocative and rather rambling description of protectively managed it may provide ecological intercon- wilderness in the Wilderness Act of 1964 that was passed by nectivity between adjacent areas of HCV and/or it may be the US Congress, it is succinctly defined by the Australian able to provide a more effective reserve boundary for adja- National Wilderness Inventory (NWI) as land that has two cent areas of HCV that are to be protected within a reserve. features: naturalness and remoteness. The main criterion for TNPA’s letter to Professor West drew attention to an ap- the remoteness of a piece of land is the time it takes to walk parent neglect of this remoting zone function in the EN- from it to the nearest point of mechanized access, such as a GOs’ claim that 572,000 ha should be reserved because this road. The NWI notes that the “wilderness quality” of a piece area has HCV. Although the ENGOs’ claim is based on both of land can be anywhere on a continuum from zero to ex- conditional and positional HCV, it appears to be restricted tremely high, depending on how natural and how remote to only two of the latter – the positional HCVs of intercon- it is. This means that an area an experienced bushwalker nectivity and reserve boundaries. One example of this omis- would not consider to be wilderness, such as the eastern sion is that the ENGOs’ claim does not try to enhance the face of Mount Wellington, can have “wilderness quality”, al- remoteness and therefore the wild character of the TW- beit of a low grade. To avoid such confusing uses of the word WHA near the Picton River (to its west, south and east). They ‘wilderness’, we might use ‘wild character’ instead of ‘wilder- could have attempted to do this by proposing that all of the ness quality’. Thus land with a low degree of wild character roaded, logged and regenerated/planted area in this valley 12 TNPA NEWS 15

TWWHA & other reserves Weld Valley State Forest under ENGO claim TWWHA Tahune Airwalk State Forest Huon Valley Private land Main forestry road

Picton Map 1. ENGOs’ Weld-Huon- Valley Picton reserve claim Logging coupes threatening the remote- ness of the South Coast Track near South Cape Bay (Photo: Google Maps, accessed 19 June 2012)

people who generally support the protection of wild character but in Main road TWWHA this case have strong interests in

road access for fairly short walks TWWHA & other reserves Catamaran River (such as on the Picton Range and Cockle Creek State Forest around Lake Sydney) and for raft-

under ing the Picton River. However, such ENGO claim South Coast Track avoidance of considering the po- State Forest tential for restoring wild character

betrays the concerns of many of Private land those who initiated, led and partici- pated in conservation campaigns Map 2. ENGOs’ Lune River - Cockle Creek reserve claim in Tasmania in the 60’s, 70s and be managed as a remoting zone (see Map 1) by adding it 80s. For too long, environmentalists have avoided stressing to the TWWHA so that its roads could be closed and reveg- the conservation value of remoteness, perhaps from fear of etated as part of TWWHA management. Similar remoting being anthropocentric, or of being seen to advocate elitist potentials are overlooked or not specifically advocated for pursuits such as adventurous river rafting and multi-day the Weld River valley and also the Huon River valley above bushwalking. But if humanity is to maintain an environment its junction with the Picton. Another apparent neglect of where all types of people are free to develop their capabili- remoteness and thereby of wild character and wilderness ties, then the most physically and mentally capable must quality is that although the ENGOs claim all of the State For- have physical and mental challenges that they find stimulat- est south of the Catamaran River for protection, their argu- ing and testing. If they have the opportunity to engage with ment for this would be stronger if it stated that this area has these, their exploits may encourage others to extend them- positional HCV as a remoting zone which, by blocking the selves as well. In addition to this part of an area’s positional logging roads that approach South Cape Bay, would restore CV as a remoting zone, another part of that value is that it or maintain about eight kilometres of ‘access remoteness’ provides for important passive forms of recreation, such as (which, expressed as ‘time remoteness’, is a half day walk) observing wild country from aircraft and peripheral vantage for the South Coast Track (see Map 2). Note that, in reading points; by reading about it; by viewing it on film and video; these maps and also Map 3, which is referred to below, one and simply from the romantic satisfaction of knowing that should assume that logging roads may go virtually to the it is out there. Through both these active and passive forms edge of the areas of State Forest (if they have not already of recreation, remoteness may evoke perceptions of mag- done so) thus reducing the remoteness of adjacent roadless nificence and emotions of awe and inspiration. We should country outside State Forest. not undervalue these, nor shy away from trying to protect Perhaps the remoting zone CV of the Picton valley was their sources. neglected by the ENGOs because it seemed to claim too Another important remoting zone issue in Tasmania much, not only against forestry interests but also against emerged on the 19th of January this year, when LJ Hooker TNPA NEWS 15 13

TWWHA & other reserves State Forest under Circular Marsh ENGO claim State Forest Gowan Brae Private land

Skullbone Plain Remoting zone TWWHA boundary

Marlborough Highway

Derwent Top: Glacial erratic in the mid- Bridge dle of Gowan Brae (Note the Lyell person on the right for scale) Highway (Photo: Bob Brown)

Right: Chimney of old Gowan Map 3. Remoting zone proposal for the Central Plateau section of the Brae homestead near the Nive TWWHA River at the southern edge of the property (Photo: Amy Lin) advertised the sale of the Tasmanian estate of the late Martin Polin. This issue is only partially dependent on the results of the IGA process because it primarily depends on the management of freehold land. The opportunity presented here is to enhance the wild character of the Central Plateau section of the TWWHA, by means of a re- moting zone stretching from Derwent Bridge to Lake Fer- gus, as shown on Map 3. A crucial 1600ha of this zone has been purchased from Gunns and placed under the pro- and vehicular tracks to realize this potential. tective management of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy. Conventional definitions of wilderness traditionally men- This is Skullbone Plains:, which has logging roads approach- tion uninterrupted, impressive size or vast extent as being ing to within three kilometres of Lake Ina in the TWWHA necessary for a natural area to be considered a wilderness. and also an off-road vehicle track that accesses the lake in However, the approach mentioned above as being used contravention of the 1999 TWWHA Management Plan. Most by the Australian National Wilderness Inventory is funda- of the rest of this proposed remoting zone encompasses the mentally different. It starts its analysis by looking at small Polin properties of Gowan Brae and Circular Marsh (6,752ha). pieces of land, perhaps a hectare or a square kilometre at a The remainder of the remoting zone is three areas of State time, assessing whether each piece has characteristics that Forest: one stretching from Travellers Rest River to the Clar- would qualify it as wilderness. As noted above, the diagnos- ence River; another adjoining the southern boundary of tic characteristics used in this method are the naturalness Skullbone Plains; and the third running from the Pine River and remoteness of each piece. This analytical method al- to Fergus Bluff. The ENGOs’ IGA reservation claim covers all lows wilderness quality (or wild character) to be systemati- of the Travellers Rest River/ Clarence River section, but only cally mapped across a region of any size, producing ‘contour some of the sections south of Skullbone Plains and between maps’ with lines of equally wild character (‘isowilds’?) that Pine River and Fergus Bluff. Another issue with Polin’s estate indicate where things are really wild and where they are not is that it includes Gordonvale, an 80 hectare block that is 3 so wild. Such maps can systematically show where more re- kilometres inside the WHA in the Rasselas Valley. moteness or naturalness would be most effective in increas- This could be the site of a future stoush with TNPA and ing wild character (and thus wilderness quality) right across other ENGOs if a private interest buys it, for example to build the region. and run a commercial lodge with helicopter access. It is now of concern to note that this analytical approach As this is written, the sale of the Polin estate is still under was not used by Professor West’s Independent Verification negotiation and we do not know who will be the next own- Group (IVG). Its conservation experts’ assessment of the ers of Gowan Brae, Circular Marsh and Gordonvale. Hope- ENGOs’ claim (for 563,000ha of State Forest to be protected fully, they will value the potential of these areas for keeping from logging) thus appears to have disregarded TNPA’s re- and restoring remoteness to adjacent TWWHA and, in the quest of 31/10/11 that any potential for remoting zone func- case of Gowan Brae and Circular Marsh, close existing roads tion should be counted as a conservation value. Perhaps 14 TNPA NEWS 15

this omission was encouraged by the ENGOs always talking about the need to protect “HCV forests”, so that when the The nine wonderful walk leaders were Bruce Wilson, IVG conservation experts looked at clear felled and burnt ar- Catharine Errey, Sally Salier, Todd Dudley, Lesley Nickla- eas such as those of the Picton and south of the Catamaran son, Rob Hill, Rosemary Bruce, Heather Chauncy and Janet River, they saw no forests (and if they saw young regrowth Stone. John Cannon’s help was invaluable, with his column or plantation, they saw no forest that could have HCV) so in the Sunday Tasmanian. Simone Yemm also provided there appeared to be nothing there to protect. In retrospect great assistance in promoting and publicising the walks! it seems that the ENGOs should have referred to ‘HCV areas’, not ‘HCV forests’, despite the fact that the issue was stopping and restoring environmental damage by wood production forestry. Autumn Walks Report 2012 Paul E. Smith Mobile: 0407 339 521 | Email: [email protected] We had a smaller number of walks on offer, compared to previous years. Weather was not on our side so some of TNPA EVENTS the walks did not go ahead. Bruce Wilson had somewhat more favourable conditions for his walk to Lake Belcher, in Mt Field National Park. Thanks to the following walks leaders: Rob Hill, Liz Autumn Walks Report 2011 Thomas, Anne McConnell, Lesley Nicklason, Bruce Wilson and Catharine Errey. Also thanks to Simone Yemm for flyers, posters and pub- licity and to John Cannon for his Saturday Mercury article The TNPA’s Autumn Walks included nine walks over the promoting the walks. month of May. We had a total of 88 people, all of whom We are hoping to run the walks earlier next year as days have now heard about the TNPA and received a flyer. The are too short in May. spread was a bit wider than last year, with one at Mt Field, one at Scamander, one at Lake Skinner (South West World Heritage Area), one at Bluff River Gorge near Buckland, and our regular Blue Tier walk. Walks closer to home were Handsome Caves at Mt Dromedary, the new Cascade track, the new Alum Cliffs track, and our other regular Chauncy Vale walk. TNPA NEWS 15 15

TNPA UPDATES

The Significant Weakening of Australian Environmental Protection Legislation – Current Proposed Reforms to the Federal EPBC Act

At the most recent COAG meeting (ie, meeting of heads concern for environmental protection in the quest to bring of Federal and State govermnent in Australia) an agreement revenue into their state through development. It is also the was put in place for ‘reforms’ of the Environmental Protec- case that Tasmania, for example, has been ‘streamlining’ de- tion & Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. These so called velopment approvals for some years now. reforms are not reforms for conservation, but are reforms Although the application of the EPBC Act has not always which will make it easier to have developments made easier achieved a good conservation outcome, it has played an in areas with conservation values. The so-called reforms are important role in this. The Federal government’s refusal of designed to achieve what industry interestingly calls ‘cut- approval for the Tarkine Road to protect healthy Tasmanian ting green tape’. devils is an example of how important an independent Fed- The proposed changes would appear to be the result of a eral level of approval is. concerted effort by industry (mainly mining) to reduce the Conservationists across Australia are extremely con- requirements for environmental protection and responsibil- cerned about these new proposed changes to the EPBC ity on their part, and to allow for more development in envi- Act. The National Parks Australia Council has already met ronmentally sensitive areas with less onerous environmen- with the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, in April, tal protection conditions. This is to be achieved primarily to express the concerns of the various national parks asso- by devolving most of the responsibility for environmental ciations, and a number of environmental groups came to- assessment and approval for developments to state govern- gether at a national summit in May to discuss how to fight ments. the proposed changes, planned to be put in place by early The reality however is that the EPBC Act is essential for 2013. The summit has issued a Communique stating the po- providing checks and balances in the system to ensure sig- sition of environmental organisations throughout Australia. nificant environmental values are protected, because state Because this is such an important matter, the Communique governments tend to have a significantly lower level of is reproduced below in full.

Changes to EPBC Act:

Environment Groups National Summit on the Threats to Environmental Laws Canberra 17th May 2012

Environment groups from across Australia met today in threatened species and the environmental values that are Canberra to challenge recent attacks on Federal and State important to all Australians. environmental protection measures. None of us are untouched by these threats to our land We are alarmed at this attack on our environment protec- water communities and wild places and none of us is will- tion laws. These laws protect our way of life, they protect the ing to allow to be taken from us that which makes our lives environment which gives us clean air, clean water, protect meaningful, beautiful and important. We represent a sub- 16 TNPA NEWS 15

stantial cross-section of Australian society and will inform to make decisions on matters for which they cannot have a and mobilise our communities. national view. The Federal Government must not walk away We support measures that can improve the effectiveness from its crucial role in protecting our environment. and efficiency of environmental regulation, and reject the We also hold deep reservations about proposals recent- concept of “green tape” as an industry-based construct, a ly advanced by the Commonwealth government outside Trojan horse that is designed to achieve the winding back COAG, in its response to the Hawke Review of the EPBC Act, of almost 40 years of hard fought environmental protec- to shift the focus of its efforts under this Act to strategic as- tion measures for short–term economic gain. It is a matter sessment and regional plans, insofar as this is intended to of grave disappointment that our political leaders, sitting result in a substantial withdrawal by the Commonwealth in COAG, have blindly accepted this rhetoric and acceded from project-level assessment and approval. Whilst we meekly to the demands of business and industry. support robust strategic and regional planning to address Environmental policies and laws must protect our special cumulative impacts, these processes cannot substitute places and should result in their protection, not loss. This for project-level assessment and approval and believe the protection must be underpinned by science and evidence Commonwealth should reconsider its proposed approach. based measures. Decisions around the protection of these species should not be fast-tracked or streamlined but given adequate time and funding to allow full consideration of all “Streamlining” of State Assessment and Approval available evidence and scientific data. Processes/ Environmental Standards

We have deep concerns about COAG’s proposals for Reject the Attack on Environmental Laws States and Territories to propose reform of their State as- sessment and approval processes for major projects for con- Our organisations specifically urge the strengthening of sideration at the next COAG Business Advisory Forum later our national environmental law, the Environment Protection in 2012. In particular, we fear that the so called “streamlin- and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The ing” of such processes will amount in practice to a further Hawke Review of the Act proposed a reform package to weakening of already inadequate assessment and approval streamline development balanced by better environmental processes within most States and Territories. provisions and increased transparency, oversight and public Similarly, we are sceptical of proposals advanced by COAG participation. The Government has rejected most of these under its “deregulation” initiative for the “improvement” of “balancing” reforms, thereby ignoring the relevant checks assessment processes for “low risk, low impact develop- involved and placing the environment at greater risk than it ments”, which we believe is essentially code for the further is under the present Act. dismantling of State and Territory planning laws in order to meet the incessant demands of the property industry. We also question the motives for, and the means by Abandonment of the Commonwealth’s Environ- which, State and Territory governments will pursue the mental Approval Powers COAG agreement for them to develop “environmental risk and outcome based standards” by 2012. Insofar as this We express our steadfast opposition to the proposal by might involve the substantial reform of existing environ- COAG to fast-track arrangements for the accreditation by mental standards of a different nature developed over many the Commonwealth of State approval processes by March years, we believe that any such process should be under- 2013, which would result in the “turning off” of our most taken in an open and fully consultative manner. A 6-month important Federal environmental law, the EPBC Act. We re- timeframe is not feasible for a proper process of review and ject the underlying assumption on the part of COAG that reform of existing environmental standards. the exercise by the Commonwealth of its approval powers in relation to projects that involve matters of national en- vironmental significance constitutes “duplicative and cum- Dismantling of Carbon Reduction and Energy bersome environmental regulation”. Efficiency Schemes We urge the Commonwealth to retain this most impor- tant approval role as a means of checking the unbridled pur- We have grave concerns about proposals by COAG to suit of development at the State and Territory level, whilst “fast-track and rationalise policies and programs that are also maintaining its extensive international treaty obliga- not complementary to a carbon price”, particularly if such tions with respect to the Australian environment. Our na- rationalisation is based on a set of so called principles that tional environment values must be held in trust at a national were developed without public consultation, and tenuous level, and not devolved to State and Territory Governments assumptions about the capacity of the carbon price mecha- TNPA NEWS 15 17 nism to deliver adequate carbon emissions reductions by • Environment Tasmania itself by 2020. We call on the Taskforce established by COAG • Environment Victoria to consult publicly on its proposals before any revised prin- • Greenpeace Australia ciples are submitted to COAG. • Humane Society International A carbon pricing mechanism with weak targets should • International Fund for Animal Welfare not be used to stifle or diminish other efficient policies and • Invasive Species Council programs that reduce emissions and which would make it • National Parks Association of NSW easier for Australia’s National target and scheme caps to be • National Parks Australia Council tightened faster than the carbon price acting alone. The car- • Nature Conservation Council of NSW bon price should be used to enhance climate action, rather • Queensland Conservation Council than constrain and crowd out these efforts. • Total Environment Centre • Tasmanian National Parks Association • Victorian National Parks Association A Voice for the Environment and the Community APPENDIX: COAG has provided an exclusive avenue for consultation The Losing Battle for Australia’s Environment by governments on high level policy agendas with one, Every year we see further decline in the quality of Aus- privileged sector of the community, to the exclusion of the tralia’s environment. We see forests cleared and swathes of rest of Australia’s civil society, through the establishment of bush destroyed. We have seen vast grasslands and bush sac- the COAG Business Advisory Forum. Given the secretive na- rificed to urban expansion, mines and coal seam gas wells ture of COAG processes, this is an unprecedented and inap- that poison our water and air. Water is treated as though it propriate form of privileged access for the business sector. wasn’t a precious and life giving resource. We are witnessing It can only result in the type of distorted and inappropriate the greatest extinction rate of mammals of any country in policy initiatives that are manifestly evident in the COAG re- the world. We are losing species that exist nowhere else on sponse to the first meeting of its Business Advisory Forum. earth. We call on the Prime Minister, as the Chair of COAG, to Every 5 years the Federal Government produces a na- rectify this inequity immediately by establishing a parallel tional State of the Environment Report. Every report says we COAG forum for key representatives of civil society. are going backwards. Information, evidence and data are all We note that business leaders have not approached us to regularly ignored. The few successes and few changes we discuss their concerns and we would welcome an opportu- see are overwhelmed by our failures and our indifference. nity to do so. Just this week, a report by WWF ranked Australia as the 7th We give notice that we will not stand by as vested in- worst polluter on Earth (behind Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Den- terests seek to do secret deals with the Federal and State mark, the United States and Belgium - one spot worse than Governments to gut environmental protection measures at in the last report in 2010). a time when our environment needs more protection. If, as We reject the notion that the problem we face is duplica- a consequence of the reforms proposed by COAG, there is tion and red/green tape. The problem we face is the highest a dismantling of these measures, and we return to the situ- mammal extinction rate in the world, the worst per capita ation that existed in Australia several decades ago, we be- rate of carbon emissions in the world, contaminated riv- lieve there will be an inevitable return to the trench warfare ers and water, clearing of forests and bush, declining soils, style of environmental activism that was also widely prac- overfishing and a host of bad decisions made every day all ticed at that time. When governments move to abandon the over Australia that benefit the few. Our environmental laws "rule of law” with respect to environmental protection, such need strengthening and increased funding to combat these responses from within the community are inevitable. threats, not gut them.

About us This communique is supported by the following organi- sations: • ACT Conservation Council • Australian Conservation Foundation • Australian Marine Conservation Society • Bird Life Australia • Cairns and Far North Environment Centre • Conservation Council of SA • EDO Victoria 18 TNPA NEWS 15

TNPA UPDATES

Keep the Capes Wild Campaign

In late November 2011, the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife 2011 Draft Three Capes Track DPEMP in late December Service (PWS) released their Development Proposal and En- 2011, and also put in a submission to the Federal Govern- vironmental Management Plan (DPEMP) for the proposed ment in early December in relation to whether the devel- Three Capes Track development. Up to this point the TNPA opment should be a controlled action under the EPBC had been working consistently to try and highlight the is- Act. In spite of the identifi ed impacts and lack of data in sues with this proposed recreational development in the relation to some values, the Federal government has ulti- Tasman National Park, and to encourage the government mately decided that the development does not need to to look at less environmentally harmful and better eco- be a controlled action, but has taken the rather unusual nomic options, including the TNPA’s proposed alternative. step of stipulating a raft of conditions for environmental A signifi cant TNPA action was the development of a protection that need to be met. While this may sound a dedicated Keep the Capes Wild campaign website, which responsible action, the TNPA understands that there is no was proposed and developed by John Sampson who vol- provision in the EPBC Act for compliance to be monitored, unteered his time for this. At the same time the TNPA also so it would seem that the Federal government’s approach updated their website to make it more dynamic, up-to- in this case is little more than window dressing. date and linked to other relevant websites. The new web- The TNPA had a number of specifi c and substantial con- site was created by Simone Yemm. cerns about the 2011 Draft Three Capes Track DPEMP, in- The new Keep the Capes Wild website features a new cluding that 1. some details of the proposal were not pre- brochure that promotes the Great Tasman Coastal Experi- sented; 2. some assessments had not been done or fully ence, the TNPA’s alternative proposal for overnight walk- done; and 3. that there were identifi ed impacts, some of ing on the Tasman Peninsula. This alternative is based on which could not be managed and others of which had very current overnight walker desires and patterns as demon- complicated, and in our view unrealistic, management pre- strated by the Great Ocean Walk in Victoria, on the existing scriptions. In summary, the TNPA Committee still believes track network, and on integrating such a walk with other the project is fundamentally fl awed, will have signifi cant recreational and scenic activities on the Tasman Peninsula, impacts, and is the wrong ‘walk opportunity’ for the region. something that was recommended, but ignored by gov- The full TNPA submission on the draft DPEMP can be found ernment, in the scoping study that led to the government’s on the TNPA website. proposed Three Capes Track. (See the President’s Pen ar- The TNPA is also fundamentally concerned about the ticle, this issue, for an idea of how the Great Tasman Coastal ‘process pretense’ that the proposed Three Capes Track Experience would work). development is going through – with no opportunity for The new brochure has been widely distributed, includ- public comment on the 2007 Feasibility Study; an apparent ing to Tasmanian politicians. It, and the Keep the Capes Wild total ignoring of the opposition to the proposed changes postcards, have also been available through the regular to the 2008 draft revised Tasman National Park Manage- Salamanca Stalls that TNPA held in 2011. Some 747 post- ment Plan to enable the development; and now a complete cards and an additional 270 online petitions (with some, silence and refusals to release the details of comment on but not signifi cant, overlap) have been signed by Tasma- the draft 2012 DPEMP. There has also been no response to nians, a signifi cant number of interstate visitors, and in- the postcards and petition. ternational visitors opposing the current proposed Three How has this happened? It can only happen because Capes Track development. In the six months in the lead up the PWS is the proponent, judge and jury in relation to the to the release of the DPEMP, the TNPA sent the postcards to approvals process for the development. The development the Minister for Parks, Brian Wightman, on a regular basis, is being proposed by the PWS service, assessed by the including for two months on a daily basis, to remind the PWS, approved by the PWS, and will be managed, moni- government that not everyone is happy with the proposed tored and regulated by the PWS. And the Minister, Brian development, and that there are alternatives. Wightman calls this a ‘rigorous assessment process’? The The TNPA also put in a detailed submission to the PWS TNPA would hate to see a sloppy assessment process! TNPA NEWS 15 19

Photo: Ted Mead

A core issue in the TNPA’s view is that PWS remains an internal assessment process, the TCT and TNPA in February active proponent of the development, thereby compro- 2012 called on the Premier, Lara Giddings, to have the mising its ability to objectively assess the proposal or to development declared a ‘Project of State Signifi cance’ regulate its implementation if it was to be approved. As under the State Polices and Projects Act 1993. In our view this noted above, this is evident in the process to date, includ- is appropriate - the project is a signifi cant development ing the internal approval of the development by the PWS and is regarded as having regional and state wide in late April/early May 2012 through its RAA approvals pro- importance in terms of tourism promotion and revenue – cess, with no public advertisement of the fact and a refusal and is needed to ensure that the development will have to provide any approvals related information or documen- greater integrated and more independent scrutiny. The tation to the public. The TNPA cannot even fi nd out what TCT and TNPA are meeting with the Premier in late June to actual development proposal has been approved or how follow up this request. public comment on the draft DPEMP was incorporated Meanwhile, a potential second Three Capes Walk, the into the approved DPEMP, if indeed it was.1 We believe that West Wellington Walk, has just had $200,000 of taxpayers’ it is entirely inappropriate for a project of this scale and im- money allocated to undertaking a feasibility study (the pact, involving a considerable investment of public funds, same amount allocated for the Three Capes Walk feasibil- to not be subject to rigorous, independent assessment. ity study). Sadly, it looks like there will be plenty of dubious The TNPA is not the only concerned organisation, and development proposals for Tasmania’s protected areas to in late 2011, the Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT) and keep the TNPA going strong until at least its 20th anniver- TNPA joined forces to campaign against the proposed de- sary, and probably well beyond. velopment. This has included a number of meetings with Key TNPA letters and submissions regarding the proposed politicians to highlight the issues with the proposal and to Three Capes Track development and the Keep the Capes Wild promote the need to consider less costly and high impact campaign can be found on the TNPA website at www.tnpa. options. asn.au and at www.keepthecapeswild.org.au. Because of the probity issues that surround the current Anne McConnell

1 A request directly to the Manger of the PWS by the TNPA President in May 2012 was denied. 20 TNPA NEWS 15

TNPA UPDATES

Arthur – Pieman Conservation Area & Vehicle Impacts

The Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area Sustainable Rec- cern to the TNPA for some time, and the TNPA is pleased to reational Vehicle Access Report 2012 has been recently re- see the previous restrictions on use between the Interview leased. This report provides new management prescrip- River and Pieman River have remained in place, and also tions for the use of recreational vehicles in the Arthur Pie- that more protection to the natural values has been pro- man Conservation Area (APCA), and is a response to the vided by prohibiting the use of the coast between John- need for better management of the area to avoid ongoing sons Head and the Interview River. impacts to its natural and cultural values. The TNPA is however aware that in spite of the prohi- The TNPA is aware that the PWS undertook detailed Ab- bition on recreational vehicle use south of the Interview original heritage and fl ora assessments as part of the re- River, there has been regular illegal use of this stretch of search undertaken for the preparation of the 2012 report. coast by 4W bikes and this has led to signifi cant environ- The PWS is to be congratulated for its strong science sup- mental impacts. Some of this use appears to be facilitated ported approach to making management decisions in this by a private barge located at the Pieman River for ferrying case. A draft report was also released for public comment the 4W bikes across the river. in mid-2010, on which TNPA made a submission. Although we congratulate the government for closing Given the impacts of recreational vehicles, primar- more tracks to protect the dunes and fragile and irreplace- ily 4WDs and 4W bikes (quad bikes), the Arthur-Pieman able Aboriginal sites in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Conservation Area Sustainable Recreational Vehicle Access Area, these measures will not protect the values of the area Report 2012 recommends that of the 65 tracks that were unless there is compliance. This requires the PWS to have in use at the time the review started (note – there are 94 both the authority and the resources to ensure that the tracks in all in the APCA), 15 will be closed, leaving 50 tracks controls are respected and policed, and that compliance still accessible for recreational use, including for access to can be monitored. shacks on the coast. As the 2012 report notes, the deci- The TNPA will be pursuing its concerns about the recent sions refl ect the fact that while recreational vehicle use is a illegal 4W bike use along the beach north of the Pieman popular activity in the reserve, it is also one of the most sig- River and the barge at the Pieman River, and the need for nifi cant threats to the reserve’s cultural and natural values. adequate funding to ensure compliance with the new ac- The impacts to the natural values from recreational ve- cess policy. hicle use south of Sandy Cape has been a particular con- Anne McConnell

The Forestry Intergovernmental Agreement & Tasmania’s Conservation Estate

As a member group of Environment Tasmania, TNPA The process, since mid-2001, is being progressed has been caught up to some degree in the Forest Reform through processes set up by the Forestry Intergovern- process, one that is primarily concerned with providing mental Agreement, the product of an initial exploring of protection for areas of ‘high conservation value’ (HCV) issues and commonalities by industry and the Tasmanian forest through withdrawing these areas from State forest environment movement headed by Environment Tasma- and putting them into conservation estate. If all the ENGO nia, The Wilderness Society and the Australian Conserva- claims are upheld, then this would increase Tasmania’s tion Foundation. This was preceded by the preparation of conservation estate up to about 50% of Tasmania. a ‘Statement of Principles’ by Tasmanian ENGOs. TNPA NEWS 15 21

The Forestry Intergovernmental Agreement in essence stakeholder review and no strategic analysis. One of has three parts – the issues for the TNPA is the sudden proliferation of 1. an Independent Verification process to establish what long distance walk proposals in existing and proposed the genuine HCV forest areas still in State forest are, and conservation areas, for example the West Wellington what the impact on timber product supply would be of Walk, which are being put up as redevelopment proj- transferring these areas to conservation. ects without any assessment of strategic desirability, 2. Provision of funds for alternative regional economic de- environmental impact, or set up and ongoing costs. velopment. The TNPA has recommended therefore that a formal 3. Funding for the PWS to manage the new conservation process be established for the allocation of the re- areas. development funds being provided by the Federal Under the Agreement, the funding for these three areas is government to ensure that the projects are desirable, being provided by the Federal government. environmentally sensitive, and contribute to the em- As the TNPA is primarily concerned with how existing ployment of workers who will be disadvantaged by conservation estate is being managed, the TNPA has not the Forestry Intergovernmental Agreement. taken a major role in this matter. We have however kept a 3. The TNPA is also concerned that the long term man- ‘watching brief’ and have made input on issues of concern. agement of the present day and new conservation estate While the TNPA supports, in principle, the transfer of will be seriously compromised if no formal process is high conservation value State forest), the TNPA has some set up to assess the appropriate land status and gov- concerns with the process that has been put in place. ernance of the land that is transferred to conservation These concerns arise partly from the absence of process land. Currently the Agreement assumption is that the for some core decision making areas and also from the fact PWS will manage all new conservation estate. Howev- that it is important to get it right this time, as significant er, with its current funding and limited staff numbers gains for conservation now mean it will be much harder to and expertise, the PWS cannot properly manage the make important gains later. land it currently has responsibility for, let alone man- There are several key issues with the current approach that age significant areas of new conservation land, even the TNPA believes are important to address. with an additional $7 million a year from the Federal 1. In relation to the Independent Verification process (the government (which will be most likely largely si- assessment of HCV areas occurring through the Inde- phoned off to meet current shortfalls in funding, or be pendent Verification Panel) core concerns are – used as an argument to reduce the state government a. that in considering HCV forest the assessment funding to the PWS even further). A formal review pro- must also consider the need to ensure there is a cess to establish the land status of all new conserva- sound framework for conservation management, tion land, and of the best management authority op- for example through considering connectivity for tion for the new land, is therefore essential. biological values, management ‘buffer zones’, and The TNPA has conveyed these concerns to Environ- good management boundaries; ment Tasmania, to the Independent Verification Panel and b. that the range of key natural and cultural values are to the Legislative Council Enquiry into PWS Funding (& included, not the anomalous situation that appears other matters) as appropriate. Regrettably, we have yet to to be being used with comprehensive assessment see any of these fora respond to our concerns. This is very for biological values, but consideration of geoher- disappointing, as without a better assessment process, an itage and cultural values only where they are of improved, strategic process for regional redevelopment, state or higher level significance; and and a process for making decisions about how the new c. the need to expand the scope of HCV to include conservation land is to be managed, it is inevitable that both ‘condition’ and ‘position’ in assessing the HCV much of the good that could come out of the Forestry In- of areas (currently the explicit scope of the assess- tergovernmental Agreement will be lost, and will lead to ment) to avoid overlooking some HCV areas, or re- increased issues in the management of Tasmania’s present garding them as being of low or zero conservation and future conservation estate. value. Anne McConnell 2. In relation to Regional Redevelopment (for which $120 million of Federal government money is available over four years, some of which has already been allo- cated) the TNPA is concerned with the ad hoc process that is occurring, with funds being doled out in small amounts, on apparently pet projects, with no formal 22 TNPA NEWS 15

TNPA CALENDAR January 2011 - May 2012

2011 2012

Feb 7th TNPA Management Committee Meeting Jan 23rd TNPA Management Committee Meeting

March Feb 18th TNPA Salamanca Stall TNPA Management Committee Meeting 7th Mar 8th TNPA Management Committee Meeting March TNPA Salamanca Stall April 23rd TNPA Management Committee Meeting 30th April TNPA Autumn Walks 2011 May TNPA Autumn Walks 2012 TNPA Management Committee Meeting & May 28th TNPA Management Committee Meeting April 4th ‘Wine & Cheese Chat’ – Paul Smith on Wilderness and Remoteness

May 2nd TNPA Management Committee Meeting Submissions, Letters, Media Releases, Meetings, Etc May 7th TNPA Salamanca Stall Jan 2011 – May 2012

June TNPA Management Committee Meeting Media Releases 15th

July 14th TNPA Management Committee Meeting • Media Release on the result of the EMRS Survey on whether there should be infrastructure in our July 23rd TNPA Salamanca Stall national parks or outside Sept TNPA’s 10th Birthday Media Conferences Sept TNPA Salamanca Stall 10th • Media Conference with the TCT on Proposal to make the Three Capes Track development a Project of Sept Pedder Dreaming: Olegas Truchanus’ State Significance 15th remastered Lake Pedder Slide Show.

Sept Letters to Newspapers TNPA 2011 AGM 19th • Letter re PWS infrastructure issues (blue signs and Oct 3rd TNPA Management Committee Meeting the Bruny Island Lighthouse fence) National Parks Australia Council meeting in Oct 15- Melbourne (attended by R. Campbell & A. • Letter re PWS philosophy on tourism and park 16th McConnell) management

Nov 7th TNPA Management Committee Meeting • Letter re proposed Three Capes Track development TNPA Social Picnic/BBQ at Waterworks (with TCT) Nov 13th Reserve, Hobart • Impact of proposed 2012-13 Budget cuts on the Buttongrass Ball 2011 (TNPA Fundraiser Nov 26th PWS and conservation area management. courtesy of The Folk Federation of Tasmania)

Dec 8th TNPA Management Committee Meeting

Major Submission to PWS on the draft proposed Three Capes Development Dec 23rd Proposal and Environmental Management Plan TNPA NEWS 15 23

Submissions • To Rumney Candidates re the proposed Three Capes Track development • To the Heritage Council and Kingborough Council re the development application for the new fence at • To Premier asking for the proposed Three Capes the Bruny Island Lighthouse. Track development to be assessed as a Project of State Significance (with the TCT) • To Department Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population & Communities Submission asking for • Council and the Central Highlands Council seeking the proposed Three Capes Track development to be advice on Pumphouse Point development works. a controlled action under the EPBC Act. Meetings • To the PWS on the draft proposed Three Capes Development Proposal and Environmental • PWS (Colin Shephard) re the proposed Three Capes management Plan Track development (May 2011).

• To Dept Treasury & Finance re PWS Funding and the • Minister (Brian Wightman) re the proposed Three 2012-13 Budget Capes Track development (May 2011).

• To the Legislative Council re PWS funding and other • PWS (Colin Shephard) re the proposed Three Capes related matters in relation to the Forestry IGA. Track development (Sept 2011).

Letters • Nick McKim & Cassy O’Connor re the proposed Three Capes Track development (Apr 2011). • To Premier and Minister re the need for a science based Marine Protected Area network for Tasmania • Liberal Party (Matthew Groom) re the proposed Three Capes Track development- 2011? • To TRC Tourism Pty Ltd re the Social Values of the proposed Three Capes Track development being • ET re forestry IGA process (Sept 2011) assessed by them • Independent Verification Panel (Virginia Young) re • To PWS and TLC re the management of the the Forestry IGA independent verification process Skullbone Plains area and the need to provide (Dec 2011). remoting zones • Liberal Party (Matthew Groom) re the proposed • To Environment Tasmania re concerns with ET Three Capes Track development and proposal to motions relating to the Forestry IGA process. make it a Project of State significance (with TCT) – 2012/ • To the Minister to accompany signed Keep the Capes Wild postcards (2 letters and 747 postcards!) • EDO (Jess Feehely) re proposed Three Capes Track development and potentially appealing the Federal • To Tasman Council aldermen and Tasmania government decision re controlling action (with Peninsula tourism operators re –urgent need to TCT) (Mar 2012) consider an alternative option to the proposed Three Capes Track development • Cassy O’Connor re the proposed Three Capes Track development (with TCT) (Mar 2012) • To the Forestry IGA Independent Verification Panel commenting on the Independent Verification • ET (Peter Skillern) re Environment Tasmania process operation (Mar 2012)

• To Environment Tasmania re criteria for nature based tourism. 24 TNPA NEWS 15

Tasmanian National Parks Association Inc

Patron: Peter Cundall TNPA Management Committee President: Robert Campbell Vice President: Anne McConnell Treasurer: Patsy Jones Secretary: Liz Thomas Public Offi cer: Catharine Errey Other Committee Members: Greg Ramsay & Catharine Errey Contact Details Postal address: GPO Box 2188, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tnpa.asn.au The Three Cakes! TNPA Members’ social barbecue Phone: TNPA Secretariat 0427 854 684 at the Waterworks Nov 2011 Meetings Management Committee meetings are usually held one Monday each month at 5:30 pm at Environment Tasmania, upstairs, 100 TNPA EVENTS Elizabeth Street (next door to The Map Shop), Hobart. Members and supporters are welcome. Meeting dates and venue will be advertised in each TNPA Communique or please check with the Buttongrass Ball 2011 Secretariat. Have your say...

ABC Local Radio: Mornings - Leon Compton The 2011 Buttongrass Ball, hosted by the Folk Federation of [email protected] or 1300 222 936 Tasmania was held in November in the Wesley Church Hall in Letters to the Editor at The Mercury Hobart. This annual event, started in 1998, is a great evening of [email protected] or folk dancing which also raises money for the TNPA, with the Ball GPO Box 334 Hobart 7001 organisers and the bands generously donating the proceedings Letters to the Editor at The Examiner of the night to the TNPA. [email protected] or PO Box 99A Launceston 7250 So, once again in a beautifully decorated hall with scattered Letters to the Editor at The Age buttongrass plants, those who attended the Ball, enjoyed a [email protected] range of traditional and Tasmanian dances to the music of the Premier [email protected] VerandaCoots, and also this year to the Hornett’s Nest, another Minister for Environment, Parks & Heritage local dance band. The MC for the evening and the dance caller Brian.Wightman@ parliament.tas.gov.au was David Wanless, who made sure that we all learned what to Opposition (Liberal) Spokesperson on Parks do, danced some fabulous dances, and generally had a good [email protected] time. Tasmanian Greens Spokesperson on Parks In other years the Buttongrass Balls have tended to have a Cassy.O’[email protected] theme related to a TNPA campaign or one of Tasmania’s special protected areas, but this year there was no theme and we cele- brated the special wild places of Tasmania as a whole. A few spe- TNPA News cial placess did feature however through the dances themselvesthemselves,, with somee of the recent Overland Track suite of dances beingbeing TNPA News is published twice a year. It aims to provide informative articles on issues related to national parks and other featured, fforor example the ButtonButtongrassgrass Quadrille, tthehe PPineini e FoForestorrest reserves, as well as updates on TNPA activities and campaigns. Moor Medleydley and thethhe veryveery special Pelion Waltz. The views expressed in TNPA News are not necessarily those of The TNPAPAP wouldwouldd likelike too warmlywarmly thankthank thethe VerandaCoots,VerandaCa oootts, Hor-Hor- the TNPA Inc. For this issue many thanks to Robert Campbell, nett’s Nest,t, David WWanlessanlesss and thethee otherothher FolkFolk FederationFederaattionn ooff TaTas-s- Paul Smith, Kevin Kiernan and Anne McConnell. Original articles in TNPA News may be reproduced , but please acknowledge the mania dancersncers who organiseorganin se thisthih s event,event, iincludingnncluudingn a wwonderfulonnded rful author and the source. Conttributions for TNPA News No. 16 are supper, andnd who decoratedecoratee tthehe hhallala l anandnd clccleanean upu aafterwards.ffterrwwarddss. OOuruur welcomed (deadline mid Dec 2012). Please send contributions thanks alsoo to Plants of TasTasmaniamam nia fofforr prprovidingroovidinng tththehe popotsts ooff bubut-ut- to [email protected] (attention:TNPA News editor). tongrass foforr the evening. It wwasas aanothernotherr llovelyovely BuButtongrasstttonngrg asss BaBBallalll This newsletter was correct as at 31 December 2012. and the TNPA’sNPA’s coffers are fuller - thtthankank yoyou.ouu. Editor TNPA News 15 – Catharine Errey Newsletter production by: Ricoh Business Centre Hobart