Caring for since 1968

THE TASMANIAN CONSERVATIONIST Number 312 September 2007

Tasman National Park

Natural values to be compromised by tourism enterprise?

Seal haul-out at , The Tasmanian Conservationist is the regular Contents newsletter of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc, 102 Bathurst Street, , Tasmania 7000. New CEO appointed 3 ABN: 63 091 237 520 Phone (03) 6234 3552 Fax: (03) 6231 2491 From the President 4 email: [email protected] TCT Strategic Plan 2007 – 2008 5 website: http://www.tct.org.au Tasman National Park 7 CEO: Christian Bell Road Kill Survey by Push Bike 8 President: Bob Graham Coastal Development 9 The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Tasmanian Our Threatened Flora Need Your Help 10 Conservation Trust Inc (TCT). Annual Report to Members:

Biodiversity Conservation 11 We permit photocopying of all original Coastal and Marine 13 material in The Tasmanian Conservationist. Feel free to make use of our news and articles, Water Management 13 but please acknowledge the source. Waste Management 14 Contributions: We encourage our readers to Land Management 14 submit articles of interest for publication. Articles should preferably be short (up to 600 words) and Legislation and Committees 15 well illustrated. Please forward copy on computer disk or by email if possible. Guidelines for contributors are available from the TCT office. We reserve the right to edit contributions. North-West Branch Tasmanian Conservation Trust Deadline for next issue: 30 November 2007 Meetings of the North-West Branch of the TCT are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Advertising: We accept advertising of products and services that may be of interest to our The venue for the meeting is the readers. Our rates are GST inclusive: Penguin Railway Station at 5pm All members of the North-West Branch are invited to attend to disuss conservation issues in the area. 1 Issue 2 Issues 3 Issues

Full Page $250 $450 $600 Writing Half Page $150 $280 $400 Editing Quarter Page $110 $200 $280 Proofreading Specialising in conservation issues. Reports, management plans, Proofreading: Janice Bird newsletters and books. Layout: Patricia McKeown Circulation: 475

Front Cover: Tasman National Park. Photo Shirley Storey. BA (Hons) Literature Cover story, page 7. ‘Tasman National Park. Member of Society of Editors (Tas), Natural values to be compromised by tourism Tasmanian Writers’ Centre, Society of Authors. enterprise?’ ABN 86 028 924 992 Phone (03) 6234 6569 Email [email protected]

2 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 New CEO Appointed

Following the departure of Craig Woodfield, Christian On World Environment Day in 2005, he also received Bell has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer the United Nations Association of individual of the TCT as from 28 August 2007. award for excellence for work in the environment. „ Christian has had 24 years’ experience working as an environmental advocate within Australia (20 years based in Tasmania), primarily in the area of marine and coastal policy. For most of that time he was an employee of the Marine & Coastal Community Network. He has also worked for other environmental non-government organisations such as Greenpeace Australia, The Wilderness Society, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and under contract at the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. Recently Christian was employed at the Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service as Marine Reserve Management Officer overseeing the management of Tasmania’s existing system of marine reserves. These positions required that he work collaboratively with government agencies and a Christian Bell, newly appointed CEO of the multitude of stakeholders engaged in conservation or Tasmanian Conservation Trust. natural resource management both in Tasmania and at the Commonwealth level. Much of his work has focused on the creation or management of terrestrial or marine reserves and assisting in the development and creation of Do You Know Tasmania? friends groups to service these reserves. A presentation by the Christian has managed several funded projects dealing Launceston Walking Club featuring trips into with environmental weeds over the last decade (mostly Tasmania’s breathtaking wilderness. with the TCT) focusing on Tasmania’s remote islands New Hosted by the NW Branch CEO appointed – usually important seabird nesting sites Tasmanian Conservation Trust threatened by weeds. Christian has been a key advocate for the creation of Friday 21 September & Saturday 22 September 7.30pm (to be confirmed) at the Leven Theatre, Tasmania’s seven existing marine reserves. While others Civic Centre, Patrick Street, Ulverstone. have played very significant roles (particularly in the area Watch out for display advertisement in of marine science) in their establishment, his task has The Advocate, posters, leaflets etc. been as the primary agent for negotiating the passage of Details: Arnold Rowlands 6431 2069 these reserves through the political process. He strives to maintain good relationships with politicians on all sides of politics and always attempts to get bipartisan support for a policy position. Electronic version of Christian was Greenpeace’s first Antarctic Campaigner The Tasmanian Conservationist (in 1984), and was involved in the logistic coordination now available of Greenpeace Australia’s first Antarctic expedition. His This newsletter is now available in PDF format for members who would prefer an electronic work in the area of marine conservation was recognised version. in 2004 when he received Tasmania’s main environment Please send us an email at [email protected] award for individual achievement, the Professor Harry including your name and address and the email Bloom Award. address you would like to use, and we will send your newsletter by email every two months.

Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 3 from the President

This year sees the end of my three-year term as president. conditions, with some still not met three years later. I I have mentioned in my reports over the last few years how sympathise with concerns of the Tamar valley residents the workload relating to conservation issues has should the pulp mill project go ahead. grown. During the last twelve months we have created a One of the highlights of my term as president came in strategic plan and been prioritising issues. Three of our June this year, prior to a phone link-up organised for a key challenges involve supporting our key stakeholders, state council meeting in Hobart. As the councillors gathered increasing support for the TCT and protecting biodiversity. in the office I was parked in the sun on a hill overlooking The state faces an extraordinary range of biodiversity issues the rainforest of Redpa. With cattle bellowing in the fore- with a frog fungus, the devil tumour, a fox presence, ground and the sounds of the local footy echoing over the platypus afflicted with disease and an abalone virus on hill from the flats behind me, I reflected on what a pleasure our borders, to name a few. Our aim is to appoint one or it was to be a part of the TCT. more biodiversity campaigners. In increasing support for the TCT, we need recruits for our committees and Our organisation plays such an important role in more funding so we can provide more services to our conservation in Tasmania and it has been a privilege to conservation supporters and continue to assist the preside over a group so committed to the protection of the government with advice. special values of this state. Geoff King I would like to thank the councillors, branches, staff and TCT President 2004 – 2007 volunteers for their efforts during the year. I would particularly like to thank Bob Graham for his support and advice, the work he has done and his commitment to the Trust. There have also been some staff movements. Suzy Manigian headed into the Blue Mountains. A former director and staffer extraordinaire, Suzy was a formidable Help the TCT presence representing the TCT for more than a decade. Members of the TCT can help us in a variety of We have also seen Craig Woodfield, our director of the ways. Here are just a few: last two years, move on. He has been terrific to work with and we will miss his intellect and persistence, which have · Help us expand our membership seen him hold the respect of friend and foe. The workload Recommend the TCT to a friend, family he has taken on over the past few years has been enormous member or colleague, give a gift subscription to and the work he has done on the strategic plan has been somebody you know or distribute some invaluable. membership forms for us. Our new CEO is Christian Bell and we welcome him · Provide us with some recycled paper back to the office. Christian has a long history and wide We are always looking for good-quality paper used experience in conservation issues and knows the on one side, to use in our printers. Help save us Tasmanian scene backwards. money and reduce our paper consumption. After our experience with the Meander dam it has been · Write a letter sad to see the planning system being sidelined once again Contact us for suggestions or simply use any of in relation to the proposed Tamar Mill and promotion of the information in this newsletter as the basis the view that problems will be solved by applying of an inquiry to a politician, business or conditions. I live in an area where two projects have government agency. We’d love to see any been guided by environmental protection notices and it is replies that you receive. not an easy system with which to achieve environmental outcomes. The Woolnorth wind farms have become killing · Pass on a rumour fields for eagles, both wedge-tail and white-breasted, with We’re always interested in hearing interesting somewhere between six and nine birds dying at the site rumours and stories about environmental last year. While the environmental conditions have issues, or just observations of what might be been varied recently (due to a change in ownership and going on in your local area. because the environmental conditions associated with operation are different to those associated with If you think you can help in any of these ways, please construction), it will be interesting to see whether the write to us (email is best) at [email protected] or deaths are reduced. The Arthur River road environment snail mail at 102 Bathurst Street, Hobart 7000, or protection notice showed how long it takes to enforce phone 6234 3552.

4 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 TCT Strategic plan 2007 – 2009 Almost a year in the making, this document is a first-ever attempt at articulating exactly what the core business of the TCT is. Just as importantly, it also provides the council and staff of the TCT with benchmarks and targets for the activities that the organisation undertakes. It is worth pointing out that the strategic plan is not a budget, and just because a particular conservation issue is in the plan it doesn’t necessarily mean that the TCT will have the funds and staff to address that issue. However, the gap between the plan and the reality of the TCT’s annual budget is not insurmountable, and by adopting the plan the organisation as a whole is committed to attempting to realise it. This is the challenge that we now face. Below is a summary of the targets. A complete copy of the strategic plan can be downloaded from our website at www.tct.org.au.

Support our key stakeholders Protecting Tasmanian biodiversity Priority challenge #1 Priority challenge #3

The key stakeholders of the TCT include: the government Protecting Tasmania’s unique native plants and agencies with which we interact on a regular basis; non- animals from human-induced impacts is one of the government organisations with which we share common most important tasks of the TCT. goals and/or who complement our core activities; the projects and corporations we work closely with; and the Objective 5: individuals, organisations and businesses that make up Improving management of native vegetation. our membership. Specifically, these key stakeholders are: Objective 6: o all individual, concession, household, organisation Ending or mitigating unsustainable and and corporate members of the TCT unacceptable impacts on native animals. o Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Objective 7: Water Protecting native species and communities. o Tasmanian Department of Tourism, Arts and Objective 8: Environment Combating invasive species and diseases. o Australian Department of Environment and Water Resources o Sustainable Living Tasmania o Launceston Environment Centre Achieve collaborative conservation o Northwest Environment Centre outcomes on private land o Tasmanian Land Conservancy Challenge #4 o Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania o WWF Australia Engaging positively with private landholders provides o Humane Society International a major opportunity for achieving genuine on-ground Objective 1: conservation outcomes. Maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders. Objective 9: Increase in Forest Stewardship Council certification Increase support for the TCT of forestry operations on private land. Objective 10: Priority challenge #2 Increase in the amount of private land managed for conservation. Increasing support of the TCT from individuals, organisations and businesses will help confirm our position as Tasmania’s premier conservation group as well as increase our capacity for fundraising, which in turn Sustainable waste management will help implement this strategic plan. Challenge #5 Objective 2: Increase the number of individuals supporting the Improving waste management practices and promoting TCT. recycling are genuine conservation outcomes. Objective 3: Increase number of groups supporting the TCT. Objective 11: Objective 4: Participate in sustainable waste management Increase number of businesses supporting the TCT. projects.

Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 5 Mitigating climate change Enhance organisational efficiency Challenge #6 Challenge #10

Climate change is the planet’s single biggest Organisational efficiency is sub-optimal, particularly with conservation issue. Although Tasmania’s contribution to regard to office space, IT resources, furniture and general climate change is small, we are morally obliged to take work practices. steps to reduce our emissions. Objective 19: Objective 12: Prepare staff position descriptions. Track, coordinate and/or complement a climate Objective 20: change campaign in Tasmania. Prepare action plan addressing office location. Objective 13: Objective 21: Investigate carbon trading and carbon offset Overhaul of TCT office equipment. schemes. Objective 22: Review IT resources and practices.

Protecting the coastal, estuarine and marine environment Amendment to the Challenge #7 TCT constitution

Tasmania’s coastal, estuarine and marine environments At the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday are under increasing pressure from development, pollution 25 August 2007 the following amendment was and unsustainable activities. adopted unanimously. Section 6 (1) of the TCT constitution was amended to include the following Objective 14: clause: Work towards sustainable fisheries and 6. Composition and tenure of Council aquaculture. (1) There shall be a Council consisting of – Objective 15: Assess and comment upon activities and proposals ‘(d) up to two representatives from affiliated likely to have significant impact on the coastal, organisations. Following the first Council estuarine and marine environment. Meeting after the AGM, Council will write to two affiliated organisations inviting them to appoint a representative to the Council Protecting Tasmania’s reserve system before the last day of September, failing Challenge #8 which, these positions will not be filled.’

Tasmania’s existing reserve system is one of its greatest assets, but is at risk from inadequate funding and inappropriate development. TCT Committee members 2007 – 2008 Objective 16: The following members were elected to Council Protect existing reserves. at the AGM on Objective 17: Support expansion of CAR (comprehensive, adequate, Saturday 25 August 2007 representative) reserve system to address existing shortfalls. Bob Graham President Geoff King Vice President Sustainable water management Phil Anstie Treasurer John Forsyth Secretary Challenge #9 John Green Protecting water catchments and hydrological cycles Neville Gray and encouraging sustainable water use and management Merv Kershaw are key activities of the TCT. Arnold Rowland Objective 18: Mavis Rowland NW Delegate Assess and comment on significant water management issues.

6 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 Tasman National Park Natural values to be compromised by tourism enterprise? Several weeks ago the Premier launched a Feasibility Study transport services, boat cruises, kayaking, fishing trips, (FS), a business case for a six-day ‘Three Capes Walk’ in and more. If all of our local bushwalks were upgraded, Tasman National Park. As expected, tourism enterprise instead of just this six-day trail, then, even with extensive was central to this proposal, which views the natural marketing and advertising, there would be so much choice qualities of this park as a commercial asset. The park on the Peninsulas for everyone, whatever their capability, consists of little more than a long, narrow strip of capes that overcrowding of day-walking tracks, picnic spots and and coastline, and its integrity is already severely campsites would be minimal, even in peak holiday periods. compromised by extensive forestry operations wreaking Let’s ask the government to change its plans about havoc along the whole length of its border opposite to the spending the estimated $12–15 million on expansive coast. Little wonder the plan is to transport walkers to the infrastructure and request instead that it undertakes the start by boat so that tourists will not have to view this much-needed maintenance to existing walking tracks in devastation. the region, honour its promise to provide toilet facilities, The $100,000 FS should have included an water tanks and camp platforms on the track, Environmental Impact Assessment as a starting point. It and considers a visitor centre at , beggars belief that this still hasn’t been carried out – nor preferably staffed by experienced Parks and Wildlife is it, apparently, intended to conduct an EIA separate from Service personnel, to give advice and sell passes, maps, drafting ‘amendments’ to the Tasman National Park books, bushwalking tucker and outdoor gear. They could Management Plan, which will undergo changes that not only promote the Tasman National Park as the best specifically allow for infrastructure to be built in some of day-walking destination in the state (which it undoubtedly the most environmentally sensitive areas of the park. is) but inform tourists that the park is also idyllic for sea- The government’s proposal to build huts sufficient to kayaking, surfing, scuba-diving, hang-gliding, rock- sleep 60, plus ranger accommodation, kitchens, toilets, climbing, sailing, and so forth, whilst offering inspiration helicopter landings and private huts, at five separate to artists, photographers, botanists, bird-watchers, locations inside the Tasman National Park (ie 300 extra geologists and nature lovers alike. Such an entrance to tourists per night in season, eating and sleeping inside the Peninsulas’ Tasman National Park, presenting and the park) is ludicrous, since at no time will any client be promoting ‘Destination Tasman Capes’, has the potential more than a few hours’ walk from an existing road or to return cash to government coffers and also provide a parking area – two of the planned overnight ‘nodes’ are wonderful resource for tourism operators, plus greater less than an hour’s walk-out. With the current choice of flow-on benefits to all of the other businesses in the region 35 local day walks (see Peninsula Tracks, by Peter and offered by than the proposed ill-conceived, exclusively self- Shirley Storey, published by TCT) graded according to contained Three Capes Walk. time available and ability, and offering a splendid diversity The Tasman National Park has such a diversity of of experience with trips to four of the Peninsulas’ capes, attributes that it is impractical to try to list them here, but not just three, it is equally ludicrous to waste taxpayers’ it is important that readers appreciate that, apart from the money building a further 30km of track inside Tasman obvious scenic qualities provided by Tasman Capes, the National Park. Clients are expected to do three boat park boasts the largest tract of remnant rainforest on the crossings on notoriously rough stretches of water, which east coast, a unique geological feature at Cape Surville, they presumably have to pay for, and which will incur the highest sea-cliffs in Australia, and a number of substantial government spending in order to ensure these threatened species of flora and fauna, including some that walkers can embark and disembark in safety. are endemic to this region. Few of this world’s population Surely the average bushwalking tourist (young to middle- are as fortunate as us: we have the freedom to experience aged professionals, the market this proposal is aimed at) these natural local phenomena by simply deciding to take would choose to enjoy the very same destinations by doing a day walk in the park. separate day walks, without having to carry a rucksack So, let’s recognise and treasure what we have, whilst for six days? Surely they would much prefer the homely continuing to share the national park with visitors, as we comfort, conveniences, fresh foods and privacy of a have done in the past, by ensuring that it is properly Peninsula hotel, tourist lodge, caravan park, cabin or B&B, managed and protected from inappropriate exploitation to the enforced sharing of sleeping quarters and domestic and development simply to benefit a few of the major arrangements, shoulder to shoulder with sixty others, in players in the industry, who are casting their greedy eyes a big but very basic barracks, for six days on the trot, at a in our direction. cost of $80 per double per night, at the very least? For further information contact Shirley Storey, The Peninsulas can already offer a range of Peninsula Environmental Network, Premaydena 7185. accommodation to suit any pocket, all in close proximity Ph: 6250 3595. Shirley suggests that you could help by to Tasman National Park (unlike the Overland and other writing to Premier P Lennon, Hon Paula Wreidt, or a long-distance treks in Tasmania or New Zealand) as are politician of your choice, at Parliament House, Hobart, restaurants, shops, cafes, supermarkets, bakeries, fuel, expressing your own opinions regarding this proposal.

Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 7 Road Kill Survey by push bike

In January this year my youngest son, Tristan, and I rode recorded, that carrion feeders would have reduced our pushbikes from our home at Exeter in the central north the amount killed by vehicle by eating and removing to Cockle Creek in the south, via Bracknell, Poatina, them from the roads, that people take road kill to Arthurs Lake, Bronte Park, Ouse (via the Victoria Valley), feed domestic animals (mainly for dogs), and some Bushy Park, New Norfolk, Lachlan, Huonville (via Jeffries dead animals were smelt but not seen; Track over the ), Geeveston and Lune 4. all animals observed were killed by a vehicle of some River. We then walked in to South Cape Bay, completing sort; the 500 km trip consisting of a 480 km ride and 20 km 5. the period observed is representative of the full year walk. (that is, we must assume there is no seasonal change On our way we recorded all road kills, to get some idea in road kill amounts); of the number of animals killed on Tasmanian roads. I set 6. there are 26,700 km of roads in Tasmania; some rules before we left, to make the recordings then the numbers observed can be used to estimate the consistent, as follows: number of road kills in Tasmania per year, as follows. 1. If we could not identify an animal then it was not recorded. 2. We did not record anything older than two weeks, therefore restricting the observations to a time period (a value judgement based on past experience, including other long-term road kill surveys). 3. On a number of occasions we smelt dead animals but if we did not see them as we rode then we did not go back to find these animals. Hundreds of thousands of native wildlife individuals are killed each year in Tasmania on our roads and tracks. In a study conducted in New South Wales, 529 road kills of 53 vertebrate species were recorded along a 100km circuit of three major roads during 20 weekly surveys across winter, spring and Tristan Cronin. Roadkill survey from Exeter to Cockle Creek. summer (Taylor and Goldingay 2004). During an ecological study at Cradle Mountain in 1991 • 464.6 km covered the access road was widened and sealed, resulting in a • 208 road kills recorded halving of the Tasmanian devil population in 17 months • Roadkills/Distance travelled = 208/464 = 0.448 (Jones 2000). Measures were implemented to reduce the roadkills per km per 14 days collisions between vehicles and wildlife and after this there • Roadkill rate x Tasmanian road length = 0.448 x 26,700 was some indication that the Tasmanian devil population = 11,961.6 animals/14 days was recovering (Jones 2000). • 14-day periods in one year = 26, multiplied by roadkills There is limited information on the number of road kills per 14 days = 26 x 11,961.6 = 311,001 in Tasmania and this was an opportunity to add some information and observations. • Add 10% not counted for various reasons: So, assuming the following: • 311,001 + 31,100 = 342,100. 1. no recorded deaths older than 14 days; • Total road kill in Tasmania per year is 342,100 animals. 2. tracks and roads covered, habitat types and elevations Based on our observations during this road trip, the are a reasonable representation of the recorded tracks proportion of these animals in various categories is as and roads in Tasmania; follows: 3. an estimated 90% of road kills were recorded, given Threatened species 4.3% that anything not readily identifiable was not Introduced animals 7.7%

8 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 Mammals 91.8% Conclusions Birds 6.25% This was a snapshot over 11 days in Tasmania covering a Insects 1.4% variety of habitat types, road types and altitudes. A large Reptiles 0.48% percentage of dead animals can be counted when observed Twenty-one species of road kill were observed. In the by push bike travel, including small insects and birds table below they are listed in order of highest number which would most likely not be recorded in a vehicle- observed to lowest. based road-kill count, and this would add to the accuracy Species Numbers observed of the counts. The assumptions made and observations Rufous 100 were on the cautious side and I believe that the estimate Brush-tailed possum 31 of 340,000 animals per year on Tasmanian roads is Bennetts wallaby 27 conservative. Wombat 10 Steve Cronin Rabbit 9 Barred bandicoot 4 Forest raven 3 References Native hen 3 Tasmanian devil 2 DIER. 2003. Roads and vehicles-Government owned Ring-tailed possum 2 road lengths by municipal area. Transport division. House sparrow 2 http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/road/transport_tas/ Kookaburra 2 roads_table_gov.html Brown butterfly 1 DPIWE. 2005b. Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Fallow deer 1 Disease (DFTD) – Disease Management Strategy. Bumble bee 1 Jones, M. E. 2000. Road upgrade, road mortality and White-lipped whip snake 1 remedial measures: impacts on a population of eastern Moth 1 quolls and Tasmanian devils. Wildlife Research 27, pp. Masked lapwing 1 289-296. doi:10.1071/WR 98069. Yellow-throated honeyeater 1 Taylor, B. D. and Goldingay, R. L. 2004. Wildlife road- Lamb 1 kills on three mjor roads in north-eastern New South Brown bandicoot 1 Wales. Wildlife Research 31, pp. 83-91. Coastal development

In Tasmania there is currently a great deal of public interest Outcome 1.1.7: Representative ecosystems and in high-profile coastal developments such as Crescent Bay areas of special conservation value or special and Ralphs Bay. But arguably it is smaller-scale aesthetic quality will be identified and protected as developments that pose the biggest threat to the aesthetic appropriate. and environmental values of our coast. Many regional The area undoubtedly has special aesthetic value, planning authorities apparently do not have the will to which will be impacted upon by the development. enforce the State Coastal Policy and refuse new housing developments within the coastal zone. The impacts of these Outcome 2.4.2: Urban and residential development individual developments are often small, but their in the coastal zone will be based on existing towns cumulative impacts are enormous. Every time a new house and townships. Compact and contained planned is approved, effectively a precedent is set, making the next urban and residential development will be encouraged house approval easier, and so on. A new State Coastal in order to avoid ribbon development and unrelated Policy is apparently not a priority for the Tasmanian cluster developments along the coast. Government, and is probably still at least 12 months away. The site is not an existing town or township. In June the TCT lodged an appeal with the Resource 2. The proposed development is inconsistent with the Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal against the zoning of the area as ‘Rural’ under the Devonport approval of a new house adjacent to Lillico Beach and Environs Planning Scheme 1984. Conservation Area, just to the west of Devonport. Although The development is not integral to the primary use of Devonport’s own planner recommended refusing a permit, the land and constitutes non-rural activity. the Council approved it with a range of conditions. The appeal will be heard in mid-September in The TCT’s grounds of appeal are as follows. Devonport, with a decision expected by the end of that 1. The proposed development is inconsistent with month. However, whatever the result, coastal values the following clauses of the Tasmanian State remain under threat from inappropriate developments, Coastal Policy 1996: small and large. „ Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 9 Our Threatened Flora Need Your Help! Raising the Profile of Tasmania’s Threatened Plants

The newly formed Threatened Plant Action Group (TPAG) Threatened Species Section to monitor threatened has been established to encourage and facilitate state-wide populations and carry out recovery actions. By working community involvement in threatened plant protection. closely with Threatened Species Section staff on current Tasmania’s threatened flora include a diverse array of flora recovery programs, volunteers can be sure their species, from grasses, ferns and orchids, through to large contributions will be relevant, timely and worthwhile. trees such as the Miena cider gum (Eucalyptus gunnii), Volunteers may choose from a wide range of projects and with over 400 vascular plant species listed as threatened. activities including: surveying and monitoring of Many of our threatened plant species are endemic to threatened populations, especially orchid populations; Tasmania, (i.e. they are not found anywhere else in the weed eradication at key sites; fencing populations to world). For more information on Tasmania’s threatened protect them from over-grazing; research into threatened flora please visit: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/ species ecology, seed germination, pollination and threatenedspecieslists. response to fire; conservation plantings; raising seedlings; Many things can cause a species to become threatened organising awareness-raising events; community including land clearance, habitat degradation, grazing by education activities; writing and updating threatened flora listing statements; data entry…and so on! By joining Wildcare, you can become a member of TPAG. Wildcare membership is free with the purchase of an annual National Parks Pass. To join Wildcare, visit www.wildcaretas.org.au. Once you are a member of Wildcare you can join TPAG by clicking on the Groups link on the Wildcare website, and choosing TPAG from the list of icons. Once a member, you will receive notifications of upcoming events and regular updates on threatened flora recovery actions. Alternatively, you can contact me on 62336692, or email [email protected]. As coordinator of the Threatened Plant Action Group, I look forward to hearing from you. The threatened orchid Petalochilus tonellii. Catriona Scott Photo: Matt Larcombe. Coordinator (Threatened Plant Action Group) both native and introduced animals, weed invasion, loss Threatened Species Section, of pollinators, altered hydrology, phytophera, drought Resource Management and Conservation Division, stress, and altered fire regimes. Once threatened, species Department of Primary Industries and Water, require appropriate management to ensure they can survive GPO Box 44 in the wild and do not go the way of the thylacine. Hobart, 7001 Managing our threatened flora is the responsibility of the Phone (03) 62336692 Threatened Species Section (DPIW). But, like many Fax (03) 6233 3477 organisations and government departments who are trying [email protected] to do good work, the Threatened Species Section is Web: http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/threatenedspecieslists understaffed and under-funded. With only one botanist http://www.wildcaretas.org.au and two threatened flora project officers to work on Tasmania’s more than 400 threatened plant species, resources are tightly stretched. So volunteers are vital to the successful implementation of threatened flora recovery actions. The protection, management and conservation of our threatened flora is really a community responsibility. By joining the Threatened Plant Action Group you can contribute to the conservation of Tasmania’s threatened flora. You may just help bring a species ‘back from the brink’! Threatened Plant Action Group volunteers will work closely with botanists and project officers from the

10 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 AAAnnual Report to Members 2006 – 2007 The 2007 annual report is a summary of our activities over the last financial year. In every conceivable sense it was an appalling year for conservation, so it is hard to write such a document without the risk of defamation. Nevertheless, we, the staff and councillors of the TCT, have all contributed our thoughts and comments on the year that was 2006–2007 from the viewpoint of Tasmania’s premier conservation organisation. Biodiversity Conservation Landclearing There have been some small steps forward in the last year continually cite low concentration of toxic substances in in efforts to curb ‘Olympic’ landclearing: a cathartic rush the effluent as a way of avoiding environmental impacts. to convert forests to plantations while tax-evading MIS However, this ignores the problems associated with (managed investment schemes) last and continue to pour bioaccumulation and biomagnification of persistent organic large amounts of money into the hands of the forestry pollutants such as dioxins. Remaining problems associated companies – and Forestry Tasmania rushes to try and catch with the marine environment include: up by establishing its own commercial-scale plantation • the lack of comprehensive hydrodynamic modelling estate. Only seven years late, the government finally • the lack of a thorough assessment of how pollutants introduced legislation in the New Year to cap native will move through and affect the local ecosystem, vegetation clearing (the 1997 RFA had a commitment to including marine mammals such as seals and dolphins do this ‘by 1999’!). • the lack of an adequate proposal for a pollution The way the cap works, unfortunately, means that there monitoring system. is little impediment to landholders clearing those forest and grassland types of most commercial interest to them – The proposed mill also has the potential to adversely and thus of most conservation importance as remnants (the affect the local fishing industry and local recreational use RFA brought the cap down from 650,000 to 500,000 of the area. At this point, the requirements of the EPBC hectares and a suite of changes since then, including this Act seem to make it difficult for the Federal Government latest legislative change, has reduced it to about to approve this mill, given that the Act seems to require 200,000ha). Such is life – we have now caught up with special consideration of cetaceans (such as dolphins) and other states by actually having a system to regulate that impact studies on these animals have so far been landclearing but we still have to make it work to save the inadequate. most threatened and most valuable remnants. We are Responsibility for litigation has been picked up by The hopeful that the recently announced review of the Wilderness Society and a new group of aggrieved biodiversity conservation provisions of the Forest Practices businesses in northern Tasmania (note the spate of Code may provide a procedural opportunity to move advertisements in local papers). The investors group towards the effective exercise of landclearing controls. currently has the TCT’s pulp mill files on loan to assist Forestry Tasmania and Gunns recently jointly announced with its legal and political action. TCT continues to provide that they will end broadscale clearing – no more coupe- advice to those continuing to organise to frustrate such an scale clearing, but they are still allowing themselves ill-advised proposal and, gratuitously, to Minister Turnbull flexibility to ‘clear up’ 10% of the area of partially cleared who must make the final approval decision on the project land when establishing more plantations. This is a good as an EPBC Act ‘controlled action’. step forward, driven by international market pressure on their customers (for which FT rightly gives credit to The Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) Wilderness Society and their international peers) having After a rather slow start-up, the FCF has been launched to the temerity to expect compliance with their own self- replace the PFRP (Private Forest Reserve Program, initiated imposed Australian Forestry Standard, and emerging by the RFA in 1997). Alistair represented NGOs on an community expectations. FCF stakeholder reference group for a while but resigned when it became obvious that officials responsible for The Gunns Pulp Mill running the Fund showed a lack of interest in NGO advice The TCT continues to follow the extraordinary and PFRP experience. The FCF is a rather innovative developments in the assessment process for the Gunns pulp market-based program; the first round of calls for tenders mill proposal. The TCT has been involved in the public (offers to conserve things in return for taxpayers’ money) consultation processes for this proposal and made several has gone out and responses are currently being evaluated. large submissions and important media releases. There remain major concerns about the impacts this mill would Antarctic Bits & Pieces have on the marine environment. The removal of the The TCT continues to be a member of ASOC (the Antarctic assessment of the mill from the RPDC, and the Sweco Pic and Southern Ocean Coalition), a global network of NGOs report that indicates problems with the hydrodynamic working on conservation issues in the region to our south. modelling and inability to meet environmental guidelines, Alistair continues to represent Australian NGOs on the confirm the TCT’s concerns about the mill. Mill supporters government delegation to CCAMLR meetings (held Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 11 annually at the Secretariat offices in Hobart each spring, Tasmania is to be congratulated for continuing the no-1080- and the TCT provides support for other NGOs in Hobart use regime it developed in 2005/06. The $4m allocated to to attend meetings) where the prospect of a large increase find ways to avoid using 1080 has unfortunately, if in krill fishing is displacing toothfish poachers as the main predictably, been largely allocated to finding new ways to issue confronting governments. This involves regular continue the slaughter of native wildlife, while the latest liaison with the Antarctic Krill Conservation Project of figures show that use of 1080 by farmers and graziers has the US-based Pew Charitable Trusts and WWF’s Antarctic actually increased. and Southern Ocean Initiative (which included hosting a Ducks Peregrine-funded workshop on Bioregionalisation in Hobart last year as a prelude to designing a network of The growing strength of Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania MPAs throughout the Southern Ocean). In June, Alistair (AACT) means that animal welfare issues are beginning also attended the annual general meeting of IAATO (the to get a profile not seen since the Pam Clark heydays. International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) in AACT’s presence has compensated significantly for Suzy Hobart, where the stresses and strains of rapid growth in Manigian’s absence. The TCT collaborated with AACT in cruise-ship visitor numbers in the Antarctic Peninsula was lobbying and media associated with efforts to get the 2007 a hot topic of conversation – queuing up for a wilderness duck season banned – to little effect (apart from a minor experience is a bit oxymoronic. change to the season opening date), despite it being a dangerous drought year. Macquarie Island Cats The good news, however, is that the State Government was finally persuaded to pay its 50% share of the very The TCT continues to press the government on the need substantial $24m cost of eradicating rabbits, rats and mice for feral cat control (starting with preventing domestic cats from Macquarie Island. The TCT was able to play a small acting as a source of replenishment for stray and feral but significant role in supporting Jenny Scott, the National populations) in cooperation with RSPCA(Tas) and Parks Association, many others in Tasmania and WWF Threatened Species Network (Tas). Getting action from (Australia) in marshalling international attention through relevant ministers and officials has proved deeply its networks, while continuing to talk to officials and frustrating, especially given the community’s obvious minders in both governments. This is a lot of money for a interest in action. TSN has successfully facilitated single PWS initiative and we will have to work hard to community-based NHT-funded control projects on King ensure that the PWS budget expands in the coming years and Bruny Islands while the RSPCA has launched its own as expenditure kicks in, so that funds are not squeezed cheap desexing initiative. from already massively under-funded management of parks Wood-fired Heaters and reserves throughout the rest of Tasmania. The TCT continues to take opportunities to contribute to Devil Facial Tumour Disease the debate on the need to regulate the firewood trade (to In the winter of last year the State Government established reduce illegal wood hooking, conserve old-growth wood/ a Devil Facial Tumour Disease stakeholder reference group logs and protect dry forest/woodland) and use of heaters to keep key stakeholders well informed about progress and in the home (to reduce winter pollution in many built-up plans with the Save the Tasmanian Devil program and to areas in Tasmania, especially Launceston). Aurora Energy’s provide an opportunity to raise issues of concern to ongoing promotion of heat pumps (with attractive tariffs) the community. The group gathers together wildlife park continues to be the primary driver of change. operators, tourism operators and veterinarians about five TOGG/NGW times a year. Geoff King has attended most of the meetings Engagement in recent years with a group of pastoralists as either a tourism operator or TCT stakeholder seeking our support to secure Forest Stewardship Council There have been some fascinating meetings; briefings certification of their native forestry management (TOGG on understanding the progress of the disease, the potential – Tasmanian Oak Growers Group) has led to two excellent for vaccines, strategies for insurance populations and wild plans being developed but no signs of leveraging others to animal disease management were among some of the topics follow. Meanwhile, the relationship established by talking covered. Also interesting have been the discussions to these growers about ‘nice forestry’ has led to opening amongst the stakeholders, all experts in their fields and discussion about ‘nice wool’ (NGW – nice green wool being passionate about an animal in serious decline. The group our working title for the initiative). Again, it is unclear will now digest a recent strategic plan for the Save the whether interest will spread beyond a few – but, if it does, Tasmanian Devil program and an insurance population it could lead to substantial involvement in ensuring the strategy will be discussed at an October meeting. authenticity of claims to being ‘clean and green’ made by 1080 fine-wool growers and traders in niche marketing efforts.„ The lights have finally gone out on the bright Prime Ministerial promise before the last election, which included a commitment to phase out the use of 1080, even on private land, by the end of 2005, and so match the late Jim Bacon’s commitment to stop using 1080 on public land. Forestry

12 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 AAnnual Report to Members 2006 – 2007 Coastal and Marine MPAs in the SE Region The TCT has continued to contribute to Commonwealth The TCT continues to assert the merits of closed areas processes, in collaboration with other NGOs across the for research and biodiversity protection for the scallop country, aimed at creating a network of marine protected fishery, and for sustainable paddock-based management. areas (MPAs) in the South East Marine Planning Region Management of the small pelagic fishery of southern (SEMPR) (after years of engagement in regional planning Australia has undergone some major changes over recent processes). A compromised first-cut collection of reserves years. It probably has the greatest potential for disaster of is due for gazettal in July 2007. The TCT has been involved any fishery off southern Australia. in the process to create new marine protected areas in This type of fishery has a poor record from around the southeast Tasmanian waters. world. Collapses have been a common outcome of traditional fisheries management. A major concern Wild Fisheries – Tasmania regarding the operation of this fishery is its potential impact Jon Bryan is a member of the Abalone Fishery Advisory on the wider marine ecosystem. The role played by the Committee (AFAC), Rock Lobster FAC, Scallop FAC, species targeted by this fishery in the marine ecosystem off Scalefish FAC and Recreational FAC. These committees southern Australia is poorly understood, but is likely to be have a statutory role and meet regularly to discuss significant. management issues and provide advice to the Minister. It is generally recognised that these species are an The TCT continues to work towards stopping recreational important source of food for marine mammals such as gillnetting in its current form altogether. Many major issues dolphins and fur seals, and some sea birds. Other larger remain for Tasmania’s wild fisheries. Even very well predators such as squid and predatory fish, including resourced and managed fisheries such as abalone and rock sharks, tuna and billfish, also rely on these small pelagic lobster have some problems, particularly with market forces species. Not enough is known about these species, making leading to a concentration of effort on inshore stocks on it very difficult to set any sort of total allowable catch that the east coast. The TCT plays an important role in this would ensure fishery sustainability and acceptable process by arguing for the protection of natural values and ecological outcomes. ecosystems. The creation of a Small Pelagic Fishery Management Advisory Committee and associated Resource Assessment Wild Fisheries – Commonwealth Group by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority The TCT is directly involved with the management of two has formalised the management process. Jon Bryan is a Commonwealth-managed fisheries: the scallop fishery and member of both these groups, as well as the Cetacean the small pelagic fishery, which are active in waters Mitigation Working Group, which aims to develop adjacent to Tasmania and are relevant to Tasmania’s marine techniques to ensure that dolphins and other marine environment. mammals are protected from the activities of this fishery.„ Water Management In early March the Tasmanian Government tabled a Bill determination appealed against was procedurally incorrect in Parliament that would see sweeping changes to the dam or unfair having regard to the requirements of this Act and assessment process, giving more power to the Assessment natural justice, not on the grounds that any technical Committee for Dam Construction and limiting appeal information taken into account in making the decision or rights. Among other things, it is proposed that the determination, or that any technical finding made in Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 will be amended reaching the decision or determination, was incorrect as a so that the recipient of a dam permit granted by the matter of fact.’ Assessment Committee for Dam Construction (ACDC) will These two amendments put enormous power in the hands not need a permit to destroy a listed threatened species. It of the ACDC, particularly in light of the unbalanced nature is unclear how threatened species assessments for dam of this body, which has no community or environment proposals will now occur, because the Bill also amends representation and no independent scientific expertise. The the Water Management Act 1999 to remove all references presence of two senior bureaucrats, two Tasmanian Farmers to flora and fauna, replacing these with the term ‘natural and Graziers Association members and an ex-Hydro values’. A further amendment to this legislation will limit executive (out of a total of six members) could raise fears appeals undertaken against dam permits, such that they that this committee is little more than an instrument of ‘may only be instituted, heard and determined on the government and industry will. „ grounds that the process by which the decision or

Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 13 AAnnual Report to Members 2006 – 2007

Waste Management The Great Car Body Clean Up Project The Great Car Body Clean Up Project received $43,000 in Clean Up Australia Day 2007 July last year from the Tasmanian Community Fund. The This year was the most successful CUAD that the TCT funding was provided to enable the documentation of has ever hosted. There was a significant increase in dumped and abandoned car bodies throughout the state participation from the previous year, due in part to the and to remove as many as possible. The number of reported following factors. car bodies to date is 225. Of these, 48 have been removed or stockpiled using the project’s equipment and 117 have • A banner was erected in Hobart CBD. been removed directly by a third party such as a metal • Many new groups were directly invited to participate. recycler. At this stage that leaves 60 to go. • Past participants were reminded of the campaign date. • Stalls were placed at three well-attended events. The car bodies that were removed have generated an • Individual articles and advertisements were included income from the metal recyclers. This has been channelled in many newsletters. towards paying off previous debts the project incurred. • Great support was given by a few councils to advertise/ Returns from recyclers and donations have amounted to organise events and contact groups. over $3900 for this financial year. The price of scrap metal • The campaign’s focus on E-waste/climate change has more than doubled since the project began in 1996, brought in a greater audience. yet remains too low to be a viable ongoing funding • The campaign received considerable media coverage. mechanism to independently support the project. The most interesting individual clean-up effort involved Peter Whitbread has only been working part-time feral Pacific oysters. In this case a local council had throughout the duration of this funding, which has affected identified a problem that could be addressed by CUAD. the progress of the project, due to be completed in December The oyster clean-up was promoted by directly phoning 2007. However, to a large extent the goals of the project groups within that municipality that might have an interest have been achieved. To meet other aims such as in participating. Of all the groups contacted, only one acknowledgment for the TCT and the TCF, Peter has participated: Clarence Plains Land and Coastcare Group endeavoured always to mention both organisations in decided to incorporate an oyster clean-up into their normal correspondence and media interviews. A radio interview clean-up. This group in return received media attention broadcast in the north of the state in July and an article in discussing the issue of feral oysters and what they were the Sunday Tasmanian have publicised the project, along doing about it. The group recruited more volunteers with two adverts in country newspapers. through a letterbox flyer and the turn-out to this site was Fewer car bodies are being located than in the past, larger than in previous years. Participants enjoyed the event especially near Hobart. The large dump sites may still be so much that the group put on another oyster clean-up out there but in more remote areas. On the west coast two later in March. This continued participation is an example dump sites have been reported. One was cleaned up by a of groups using CUAD as a platform for motivating people recycler and the other site near Queenstown will be cleaned to take ownership of the land and promote environmental up by the end of August. Peter envisages about 50 full days action throughout the year. „ of work before all car bodies have been cleaned up, based on the reporting/documentation data. „ Land Management Seven Mile Beach The TCT has been engaging with stakeholders with a view plans for a resort-style string of exclusive huts owned and to ensuring that any sandmining on the Llanherne Spit operated by PWS. The National Parks Association has been (Seven Mile Beach) is part of a wider rehabilitation plan actively involved and is hoping it might grow into a cause aimed at rehabilitating all the public land in the area celebre for rejection of crass developments in Parks, in (removing pine wildings from abandoned plantations will favour of facilitation of self-reliant active recreation on a be a big issue). Government, meanwhile, seems more scale and in a style sympathetic to the local environment interested in facilitating a fanciful idea for a resort and the local community. development halfway along the beach rather than Lillico Beach minimising the impacts of maintaining orderly supplies In June, the TCT lodged an appeal over the approval of a of building sand in southern Tasmania. house development adjacent to Lillico Beach Conservation Tasman Peninsula National Park Area, just west of Devonport. Although the Council planner The TCT has been helping and encouraging local networks recommended that the development application be refused, on the Tasman Peninsula to realise the late Peter Storey’s Devonport City Council approved the house, apparently in (and Shirley’s) dream for modest and sensible recreational contravention of its own planning scheme and the State development in the outstanding natural areas on the Coastal Policy. The appeal will be heard in September. „ Peninsula – so rudely swept aside by the government’s

14 Tasmanian Conservationist September 2007 AAnnual Report to Members 2006 – 2007 Legislation and Committees EPBC Act Last year, in frustration, the TCT and WWF pulled out of conservation issues and problems – although some good the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation work was done, led by Tim Lowe, on bringing the issue of Unit. This is an NGO-run project, funded by the climate change exacerbation of invasive species impacts Department of Environment Water Resources since the to the attention of decision-makers. Alistair is still on the Act’s inception in 2000, that employs a Canberra-based Expert Advisory Committee for Maintaining Australia’s lawyer and assistant to promote community engagement Biodiversity Hotspots. He has also recently joined the in the approval and listing processes set out in the Act. Advisory Board of ANCORS, the new Australian National The withdrawal followed amendments last year that Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, headed by constrained opportunities for engagement and failure to Professor Martin Tsamenyi, at Wollongong University. This get budget support to fund effective legislative opportunity derives from ongoing work on oceans implementation. governance based on the TCT-hosted ISOFISH project. ACNT (Australian Council of National Trusts) continues Alistair also continues to work as an external consultant to run the web-based information service and the TCT for both WWF (International) on oceans governance reform continues to monitor any and all involvement of Tasmanian (also following on from the ISOFISH project) and Humane projects, proposals and proponents with the Act’s Society International (Australia) on international wildlife Enironmental Impact Assessment procedures. The TCT and conservation issues generally. continues to send correspondence and submissions State Budget Community Consultation whenever warranted, including on export permits for TCT continues to make an annual submission to the state treeferns from rainforest clearing operations. The TCT budget development process, as invited. Issues raised continues to collaborate with mainland NGOs in objecting include: the need for and improved funding of a Parks & to EPBC Act export permits being issued for possum meat Reserves Authority (upgraded, independent PWS); more and fur, based on defective management plans and respect and attention for threatened species recovery ‘exceptional circumstances’. planning – and plan implementation; making sure Public National Committees Reserves are given appropriate tenure to ensure important After two terms, Alistair Graham’s time on the national areas are properly reserved; improved funding of Biological Diversity Advisory Council (BDAC) came to biosecurity efforts, especially weed management; removing an end at the beginning of the year. Sadly, this came as a exemptions from the planning system (RMPS); a fresh and bit of a relief after years of growing frustration at the better approach to water management and allocation; and waning Australian Government interest in nature serious funding to implement landclearing controls. „ Miscellaneous Mining The TCT, in collaboration with Peter Sims and others to re-establish networks and contacts with a view to (especially the Tarkine National Coalition, as many of the participation in some vigorous campaigning to try to proposals are in and around the Tarkine), continues to maintain the moratorium and further encourage monitor notices of applications for exploration licences development of organic agriculture. and to object to those in which no-one else seems to be taking an interest that have significant implications for TCT Website high conservation and wilderness value areas (especially In addition to his work on marine conservation issues, on the West Coast and in the North-East). The process Jon Bryan continues to maintain the TCT website and continues to put proponents on their mettle and result in makes the newsletter and other material available on the additional conditions being imposed on successful internet. „ applicants. Given the large number of applications over the last year, our monitoring has been far from comprehensive. GM/GE Crops The TCT continues to keep a watching brief on the State Government’s moratorium on commercial release of genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) crops. The moratorium ends next year and we are beginning

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16 Tasmanian Conservationist May 2007