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Home , Lake Pedder, South West Tasmania

OPINION Restoring the lost Pedder? By Dr K. Crowley

ther than in the minds of utopian dream- ever its prospects, the quest for restoration The tragic loss of one of the Oers, there seems no prospect that Lake is significant for evoking the recognition of world’s most outstanding Pedder, lost to hydroinundation in the early past ecological folly, the meaning of lost 1970s, will ever be restored. A Common- places, the hope for an improved future and natural icons, ’s wealth inquiry recently concluded that this the right to utopian dreaming (Crowley owes more to Tasmanian parochialism and 1999). It has been argued that restoration original , to the practical issue of currently prohibi- would provide a locus poenitentiae, an tive cost estimates than it does to any lack opportunity to repent, if not taken by our- remains unreconciled. of technical expertise (Commonwealth selves, then by our children ‘who will undo Government 1995).The restoration of Lake what we have so foolishly done’ (St John Kate Crowley chronicles Pedder, if such a thing were even possible, 1974). The was included within the would be certain to offend Tasmanian 1982 Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage the public debate on the historical pride in its iconic dam-building Area by the World Heritage Bureau of possibility of restoration. practices, especially now that the hydro- UNESCO in recognition of its restoration industrial era is over. To many Tasmanians, potential (Kiernan 1995). In 1994, following the enlarged Lake Pedder is a source the commissioning of several feasibility of pride, a defiant symbol of hydroindustri- studies over the preceding years, a Pedder alization and the quality of life that it once 2000 restoration campaign was launched in generated, rather than a symbol of wilder- by David Bellamy, the David Suzuki ness destroyed. Foundation and Dr (Pedder The Middle Gordon hydroelectric 2000 1994a). scheme that swamped the 10 km2 glacial Within 12 months, the Hobart-based Lake Pedder created a vast impoundment Pedder 2000 had formed branches in of 242 km2 and a storage capacity of 3 km3 Sydney, Melbourne, , Adelaide, (HydroElectric Commission, unpublished Launceston and Burnie, and secured a Com- submission to the Commonwealth Inquiry monwealth inquiry into the restoration into the Proposal to Drain and Restore issue. It is primarily the environmental Lake Pedder, 1995).This ‘fake’ Lake Pedder merits and technical feasibility of restora- dam is ironically now defended using terms tion raised by this inquiry’s findings that are such as ‘unique’,‘aesthetically magnificent’ dealt with here.This article covers three key and ‘flush’ with native fauna’. It is aspects of the restoration proposal: (i) the acclaimed in utilitarian terms as an engin- case for restoration argued by Pedder 2000; eering feat of gigantism that remains inter- (ii) the further issues raised by the Com- nationally one of a kind and would be monwealth inquiry; and (iii) the possible vandalized and lost forever if drained. processes and impacts of drainage. It is fair Tasmania may be globally renowned for its to conclude on the available evidence that natural environment and political greening, there is a clear split between optimists and but there remains a simmering local resent- pessimists in terms of the environmental ment against conservation in Tasmania that and technical feasibility of restoration.That is little appreciated by the rest of said, it is also important to stress that the (Hay 1994). It is not appreciated at all by available evidence is not exhaustive enough the international community which sees to objectively reconcile these positions, Tasmania as an idyllic ecoparadise.There is neither of which has been clearly proven or Dr Kate Crowley is a lecturer at the School of no doubt that a pilgrimage to Lake Pedder disproven. Government, University of Tasmania, GPO Box restored would become an international While this article does not deal with the 252–22, Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia. This article is ecotourist attraction. ‘why’ of restoration (Pedder 2000 1999a), based on her research into the environmental and It seems tragic in hindsight that talk of the International Union for the Conserva- political significance of the Pedder 2000 restora- Lake Pedder’s restoration began even as the tion of Nature (IUCN) offers several com- tion campaign. flood waters were rising to engulf it.What- pelling grounds.It argues that Lake Pedder’s

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION VOL 1 NO1. APRIL 2000 21 OPINION loss was an environmental disaster that further research (Commonwealth Govern- severely affected the integrity of the Tas- ment 1995). Rather than ‘why should the The recovery of Lake Pedder manian Wilderness World Heritage Area. lake be restored?’, these ask: what was the would not only be one of the The restoration of Lake Pedder would be a lake originally; has any of it survived; to significant step towards improving this what state should it be restored; how best world’s largest restoration integrity. It would also signify the need to should it be restored; over what time scale; restore degraded wilderness where feasi- and how best can the lake’s vast surrounds exercises; it presents a ble, and offer a symbol to the world of a be rehabilitated? It seems inconceivable that determination to do so. The predicted Lake Pedder’s former magnificence, its vastly complex, contested, power demand from the Tasmanian grid is intoxicating beauty, its primeval enriching argued by restorationists and colleagues to mystique, its haunting, bedazzling spirit political and ideological have not eventuated (Blakers 1994a), and (Read 1996) could ever be recovered. And Lake Pedder restored could offer untold yet the original quartzite beach, its dune challenge. economic benefits to the Tasmanian com- system and characteristic megaripples are munity (Anderson 1994; International reportedly intact, with only fine sediment age the migration of indigenous native seed Union for the Conservation of Nature 1994; covering the original lake bed after 27 years into the newly exposed landscape to even- Tighe 1992; Pedder 2000 1994b; Pedder (Tyler 1994). tually achieve a recovered vegetation com- 2000 1999b). Nevertheless, it is clear that At the time of inundation, the areas sur- munity. Proponents of restoration were there will be no restoration without, first, rounding the glacial Lake Pedder were char- fairly relaxed about how close this commu- political and popular will, and second, acteristic of the south-west Tasmanian nity would be to the original, and how long without further investigation of the envi- uplands. The slopes supported rainforest restoration would take. ronmental and technical issues identified and wet sclerophyll communities, while the The success of initiating the restoration below. valleys supported open sedgelands, scrub project rests greatly on proving recoverabil- and button grass on acidic peat soils.While ity.First, drainage, which is discussed below, Environmental and technical the predominant surrounds were button must be feasible. Second, the landform issues grass, there were rainforest-pocketed hills to complex that comprised Lake Pedder must the north, and heavy tree- and scrub- be recoverable. And finally, revegetation The Pedder 2000 case for covered dunes at the lake’s edge (Johnson must be viable. In terms of landform, Pedder restoration 1972). In terms of botanical surveying, the 2000 argues that the nested complex that preflooded vegetation community was comprised Lake Pedder (glacial cirques, The restoration of Lake Pedder faces many largely undocumented; however,the inquiry moraines and outwash, and pink sandy complex technical questions, many of heard that the pristine original ecosystems beach) would re-emerge virtually intact which have been deemed unresolvable by of their surrounds remain intact. This, upon drainage. Furthermore, it argues that the Commonwealth Government without restoration advocates argue, would encour- this complex remains globally unique, and in the past comprised the lake’s best, most loved features, offering its most classic restoration estimates photographic images (Kiernan 1994; Gee 1995; Pedder 2000 1995). Revegetation is a more complex, less resolved issue. Pedder Costs of restoration have been estimated at between one-half billion and well in 2000 scientific studies have found that the excess of one billion dollars Australian. This includes submerged surrounds of the original lake • $450 to $670 million for energy lost; are not massively compacted and not • $10 to $15 million for environmental impact assessments; inclined to become a reeking mud flat upon • $80 to $105 million for the removal and/or modification of all existing infra- drainage.They have also found that original reeds and rushes are recognizable on the structure and the provision of temporary civil works associated with any reha- old lake bed; that the dunes are secured by bilitation and revegetation works; mats of peat; and that the basin’s soils • $50 to $60 million for a programme of soil stabilization and rehabilitation works remain bound by root systems. However, covering the inundated area of the lake and its shorelines; and these studies alone have not proven the via- • $375 to $500 million for revegetation, and possibly ten fold that if a more inten- bility of vegetation recoverability. sive programme of revegetation is required beyond the view-scape around the Despite these uncertainties, Pedder 2000 has proposed simply ‘pulling the plug’, old lake. releasing water from the fake Lake Pedder at (Source: Tasmanian Government, 1995.) both its Serpentine and . This would expose the original Lake Pedder.

22 ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION VOL 1 NO1. APRIL 2000 OPINION

Figure 1. The Lake Pedder impoundment. Restoration would begin by opening the diversion tunnels at the Scotts Peak and Serpentine Dams. The Gordon Scheme would remain untouched. Reprinted with permission from Southwell 1983.

The adjacent and nature. On this issue there is a clear divide orities to be achieved than Lake Pedder’s would remain untouched (Fig. 1; Pedder between human intervention and natural recovery, and that the Commonwealth 2000 1994b; Commonwealth Government recovery.A scientific symposium heard both would thus not research nor consider the 1995). It claims that regeneration of vege- that rapid (i.e. supplemented) revegetation issue further (Commonwealth Government tation would begin naturally over the fol- would help prevent soil break-up and 1995). lowing year, taking a decade or two, with erosion, but also that over 20 years or so of The inquiry had heard from a range of weed infestation minimized both by the exposure, successional vegetation commu- authorities including the authors of the region’s acidic soils and its remote location nities would most likely simply re-establish scientific reports commissioned in 1992 by far from human settlement on the boundary themselves (Pedder 2000 1995). Pedder 2000 on the project’s feasibility. It of the south-west wilderness. Indeed, noted that the restoration issue is more ‘natural revegetation of the Lake Gordon Commonwealth inquiry into accurately one of restoring the original lake margins following many years of low lake draining and restoration and rehabilitating the 24 000 ha of sur- levels suggests that lowly plants such as rounding plains.While it is accepted that the mosses and liverworts will readily colonize Within 14 months of launching Pedder original, distinctive features of Lake Pedder the newly exposed bed of the Pedder 2000, a federal inquiry was handing down itself are recoverable, there remains great impoundment’ (Gee 1995). its findings on Lake Pedder’s restoration contention about how best to expose these Rapid drainage of the Serpentine Basin prospects,an indication both of the national features and about the criteria to be deter- over the summer months was initially sug- significance of the proposal and the politi- mined in re-establishing the surrounding gested by Pedder 2000 as the best means of cal clout of its advocates. Drainage and the vegetative cover.The lower criteria of reha- protecting the inundated Lake Pedder’s restoration of the geomorphological fea- bilitation, rather than higher criteria of sand dunes from erosion, but only after tures of the original lake were found to be restoration, would not require the surround- prior studies to ensure the channels of technically feasible, and likely to enhance ing plains to be returned to their original the Huon and Gordon rivers can cope the world heritage values of the Tasmanian state, but to some other acceptable, stable (Pedder 2000 1995). The issue of human Wilderness World Heritage Area. However, state. But the prospects of both are recog- intervention was not settled by Pedder the most compelling reasons for restoration nized as needing further research (Com- 2000, with the need for forward planning were found to be symbolic, with equally monwealth Government 1995). based upon further studies being seen as symbolic reasons found for retaining the Revegetation would be fraught with risks the only way to determine whether revege- dam.It was concluded that there were many and challenges, even if only the lower crite- tation could indeed be left to mother more compelling, urgent environmental pri- ria of rehabilitation were pursued. Issues of

ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION VOL 1 NO1. APRIL 2000 23 OPINION concern include the state of revegetation original Lake Pedder system had preserved Pedder 2000 recommends that they be left that should be encouraged or actively estab- its major geomorphological features by in situ (Pedder 2000 1999b). If only the lished; the viability of the peat mat after ensuring that little erosion damage was Scotts Peak Dam were to be breached, there exposure; the lower-order vegetation that suffered. But it also heard the opposite would still be up to 10 km of waters behind may be needed to bind the peat and its from the HEC (which opposes restoration), the Serpentine Dam that could occasionally impact;the assistance that may be needed to namely that the dunes of both Lake Pedder reflood Lake Pedder, and would maintain a re-establish the button grass plains in the and its tiny companion, Lake Maria, did large mud flat. This partial draining was proportions that existed before flooding; indeed suffer considerably. Again there is favoured by no one. All were equally con- the possibility of finding or resowing cerned to retain the role that the viable seed; the feasibility and the Scotts Peak Dam plays in flood miti- impact on the surrounding areas of a ‘...the most compelling reasons for gation of the , whose large-scale seed collection exercise; valley now hosts a flourishing agri- the need to minimize weed invasion; restoration were found to be symbolic, cultural, and increasingly tourist- and the need to minimize erosion oriented, community, but equally is (Commonwealth Government 1995). with equally symbolic reasons found already suffering the effects of clear- Confidence has been expressed that for retaining the Dam.’ fell forestry within its catchment. On the restoration skills required can be balance, the inquiry appears to found in Tasmania between the skills suggest modifying the Scotts Peak of the HydroElectric Commission Dam, possibly via the construction of (HEC), the Forestry Commission, Greening obviously a case for further research to a spillway, and breaching the Serpentine Australia, the University’s Department of determine how Lake Pedder’s submerged (Commonwealth Government 1995). Geography and Environmental Studies and features would survive drainage, to deter- The most drastic, and prohibitively the local councils (Oriel 1994). mine, for instance, whether rapid or slow expensive, breaching scenario would be the In the end, the Commonwealth inquiry dewatering would best prevent dune slump- removal of each of the dams at a cost esti- simply recognized that uncertainty remains ing and wave damage, and indeed to deter- mated by the HEC at $80–105 million.While as to vegetation rehabilitation methods, and mine whether these features need to rationale and method were not detailed in indeed between the merits of rapidly survive intact, or should simply be assisted this costing, the HEC suggests that the dis- assisted rehabilitation versus the seemingly to re-establish themselves and then to mantling would require new road access more ‘natural’ gradual recolonization recover naturally (Commonwealth Govern- and track construction to facilitate disposal approach.This poses a significant cost issue, ment 1995). of the dam fabric, which would exceed as the HEC submitted that an intensive pro- Even more complex than the rate of 780 000 m3, and which would need to be gramme of revegetation around the lake was drainage of the waters of the Lake Pedder dumped in stable sites. ‘The damsites, required at a cost of between $375 million Dam is the manner of drainage.This has not dumps and other associated scars which and $500 million and possibly ten-fold that yet been the subject of feasibility studies would remain after dam removal would (Commonwealth Government 1995). There by either proponents or opponents of require rehabilitation works such as recon- is a similar prior question of rapid versus drainage, although the HEC has simulated touring or benching of the steep slopes, gradual drainage, as well as the issue of dam the draining process to calculate how long contour ripping of compacted areas, and removal versus no dam removal. The it would take to drain the impoundment by covering with soil or peat’ (HEC, unpubl. drainage rate issue is one not clearly using current outlets.Three dams create the submission, 1995). recorded by the inquiry.The inquiry heard Lake Pedder impoundment: the Scotts Peak At the practical level, the HEC noted the both that gradual drainage of the surround- Dam, the Serpentine Dam and the small environmental risks likely to be associated ing plains has merit in terms of assisting veg- Edgar Dam. One option is to drain as much with drainage that should be the subject of etative rehabilitation, but also that rapid of the Lake Pedder impoundment as possi- an environmental impact assessment prior drainage may be more suited for recovery of ble into Lake Gordon through the McPartlan to restoration at $80–105 million. These the inundated landform. Clearly these opin- Pass Canal, with the Edgar Dam riparian included consideration of any likely effects ions need to be weighed up in comparative outlet and the Serpentine Dam outlets con- on local fauna and remnant endemic terms before the merit of either can be tributing. Pondage would occur behind the species; the possibility that the erosion of clearly assessed. first two of these dams and would flood the newly exposed dam bed would cause 47 km2 of the upper Huon catchment and siltation and sedimentation; the down- Drainage issues, processes occasionally spill over into the Serpentine stream impacts of drainage and loss of and impacts Valley (Commonwealth Government 1995). drought proofing on irrigation-dependent While water from the Serpentine could communities; potential shoreline, dune and Of particular interest at the inquiry was the be pumped into the Lake Gordon Dam, landform damage; the viability of highly evidence from restoration advocates that there is obviously an issue of whether any of interventionist revegetation methods as rapid inundation and submersion of the the dams should be breached instead. mentioned above; the need to minimize

24 ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION VOL 1 NO1. APRIL 2000 OPINION fire, weed infestation, Phytopthora out- 1972, the world’s first green political party, the head. Reflections: The Journal of the Lake breaks; and the loss of high aesthetic values the , was founded in Pedder Restoration Committee 7, 2–5. Hay P. R. (1994) The politics of Tasmania’s World (HEC, unpubl. submission, 1995). an effort to save it. The IUCN supports Heritage Area: Contesting the democratic restoration, as do all manner of celebrities. subject. Environmental Politics 3, 1–21. Ecologist Tim Flannery sees Lake Pedder International Union for the Conservation of Nature Conclusions (1994) Resolution Regarding Lake Pedder. restored as the centrepiece of Tasmania’s IUCN General Assembly, Appendix E. In: Inquiry Although it may be utopian dreaming, there ecotourism industry.Film director Rob Sitch into the Proposal to Drain and Restore Lake sees himself standing on Lake Pedder’s Pedder (ed. Commonwealth Government), is clearly a sustained and, to some extent, pp. 95–96. House of Representatives Standing scientifically informed push to drain the restored beach one day. Author Richard Committee on Environment, Recreation and the ‘fake’ Lake Pedder and to reclaim the origi- Flanagan sees fighting for the lost Lake Arts, Australian Government Publishing Pedder as fighting for a vision of what Tas- Service, Canberra. nal.While there is currently no political nor Johnson D. (1972) Lake Pedder: Why A National popular will to do so, this has not quelled mania could be. Thus far, most Tasmanians Park Must Be Saved. Lake Pedder Action Com- the scientific nor professional debate about haven’t seen it this way.They haven’t revi- mittee, Camberwell, Vic. sioned their hydroindustrial past, even Kiernan K. (1994) Restoring Lake Pedder: A Geo- how best drainage and restoration could be morphological Perspective on Recovery achieved. Indeed, in the wake of the debate, though they struggle with its debt burden Prospects and Likely Time Scale. Unpublished a Key Centre for Ecological Restoration today (Blakers 1994b). Pedder 2000 has Pedder 2000 Report, PO Box 41, Surrey Hills recognized this, dropping their adversarial- North, Vic. has been mooted for the University of Kiernan K. (1995) Unique landforms will re-emerge Tasmania as a focal point for Australian ism and opting for education as a means of ‘almost from day one’: the Kiernan reports in restoration expertise (Oriel 1994). There is first removing the dam in the Tasmanian summary. Reflections: The Journal of the Lake psyche (Gee 1999). Pedder Restoration Committee 2, 7. reasonable agreement that Lake Pedder’s Oriel (1994) Yes Pedder, we have the ecological landform complex is recoverable; and there expertise. Mercury 21 May, p. 26. are technical, but not unresolvable, differ- Pedder 2000 (1994a) Pedder lives: Pedder Acknowledgements unplugged. Daily Planet 30, 11–14. ences on the issue of drainage. But, as we Pedder 2000 (1994b) The seven most commonly- have seen, there is a great divide on the The author would like to thank the various asked questions about Lake Pedder: and their issue of revegetation between proponents reviewers of this article, anonymous and answers. Reflections: The Journal of the Lake Pedder Restoration Committee 1, 1. and opponents of restoration. otherwise, for their insightful comments; Pedder 2000 (1995) Scientific symposium at the The Scientific Committee of Pedder 2000 and to L. Southwell for permission to repro- University of Tasmania. Reflections: The Jour- intends to raise funds to examine unre- duce his diagram of the Lake Pedder nal of the Lake Pedder Restoration Commit- tee 3, 3. solved restoration issues and has identified impoundment. Pedder 2000 (1998) Lake Pedder restoration its research priorities as an investigation of research. Reflections: The Journal of the Lake revegetation methods; dewatering engineer- Pedder Restoration Committee 6, 7. References Pedder 2000 (1999a) Eight Reasons Why Lake ing and physical factors; draining implica- Pedder Should Be Restored. http://neptune.he. tions; tourism, economic and employment Anderson I. (1994) Can Lake Pedder resurface? net/~pedder/intro/viney.htm (accessed 25 impacts; environmental effects; power gen- New Scientist 1941, 14–15. October 1999). Blakers A. (1994a) in Tasmania Pedder 2000 (1999b) The case for restoration. eration issues; legal issues and obligations; revisited. Australian Journal of Environmental Reflections: The Journal of the Lake Pedder heritage values and impacts; and risk reduc- Management 1, 110–120. Restoration Committee 7, 4–5. tion strategies (Pedder 2000 1998). But it Blakers A. (1994b) Dam Debt in Tasmania. An Read P. (1996) Returning to Nothing. The Meaning unpublished submission by Dr A. Blakers to of Lost Places. Cambridge University Press, will be impossible to judge the prospects of Commonwealth 1995, available at http:// Cambridge. restoration on these narrow grounds alone. neptune.he.net/~pedder/blakers/allthree.htm . Southwell L. (1983) The Mountains of Paradise: The The recovery of Lake Pedder would not only (accessed 25 October 1999). Wilderness of South-West Tasmania. Les Commonwealth Government (1995) Inquiry into Southwell Pty Ltd, Camberwell, Vic. be one of the world’s largest restoration the Proposal to Drain and Restore Lake St John E. (1974) Lake Pedder Committee of Inquiry exercises; it presents a vastly complex, con- Pedder. House of Representatives Standing Interim Report: Annexure. Australian Govern- tested, political and ideological challenge. Committee on Environment, Recreation and ment Publishing Service, Canberra. the Arts, Australian Government Publishing Tasmanian Government (1995) Interim Submission: There are issues of democratic principle, Service, Canberra. Inquiry into the Proposal to Drain and Restore nature rights, political conservatism, techno- Crowley K. (1999) Lake Pedder’s loss and failed Lake Pedder. cratic dreaming and green revisioning at restoration: Ecological politics meets liberal Tighe P. (1992) Hydroindustrialisation and conserva- democracy in Tasmania. Australian Journal of tion policy in Tasmania. In: Australian Environ- stake that are well beyond the scope of envi- Political Science 34, (in press). mental Policy: Ten Case Studies (ed. ronmental and technical issues. Gee H. (1995) Ecological considerations for the K. Walker), pp. 124–155. University of New There would be, in conclusion, nothing draining and restoration of Lake Pedder. Reflec- South Wales Press, Kensington, NSW. tions: The Journal of the Lake Pedder Restora- Tyler P. (1994) Lake Pedder: A Geophysical Survey. typical in ecological restoration terms about tion Committee 2, 4–5. Unpublished Pedder 2000 Report, PO Box 41, the recovery of the lost Lake Pedder. In Gee H. (1999) You have first to take out the dam in Surrey Hills North, Vic.

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