DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Three Capes Track Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment ISBN 978-0-9871899-2-9 (print version) ISBN 978-0-9871899-3-6 (pdf version) © State of Tasmania 2011 Cover image: Cape Pillar by Joe Shemesh Published by: Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment GPO Box 1751 Hobart TAS 7001 Cite as: Parks and Wildlife Service 2011, Draft Three Capes Track Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart CONTENTS Forward ............................................................................................................................................................................................... i Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................................................................ii 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Current Status of the Proposal ............................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Approvals Process ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3.1 Key Approvals Processes .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.3.2 Legislation ................................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.3.3 Policies and Plans ................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.4 Public Consultation .................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.5 Purpose and Structure of the DPEMP ................................................................................................................. 14 2 Proposal Description .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Proposal Outline ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 The Track ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Track Standard and Route Selection .............................................................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Track Route .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 Overnight Nodes ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.2 Design Criteria ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.3 Performance Criteria .......................................................................................................................................... 31 2.3.4 Operation .............................................................................................................................................................. 32 2.3.5 Node Location Descriptions ............................................................................................................................ 33 2.3.6 Geotechnical Assessment .................................................................................................................................. 41 2.3.7 Fire Design Criteria ............................................................................................................................................ 43 2.4 Associated Infrastructure ....................................................................................................................................... 46 2.4.1 Jetties or Floating Pontoons ............................................................................................................................. 46 2.4.2 Gateways ............................................................................................................................................................... 46 2.4.3 Toilet Facilities...................................................................................................................................................... 47 2.4.4 Campsites .............................................................................................................................................................. 47 2.4.5 Temporary Material Depots ............................................................................................................................. 47 2.5 Extent of Footprint .................................................................................................................................................. 49 3 The Existing Environment .................................................................................................................................................. 51 3.1 Planning........................................................................................................................................................................ 51 3.1.1 Tenure .................................................................................................................................................................... 51 3.1.2 Tasman Planning Scheme ................................................................................................................................... 51 3.1.3 Land Use and Planning History ........................................................................................................................ 52 3.1.4 Management of the Tasman National Park and other Reserves ............................................................. 53 3.2 The Environment ...................................................................................................................................................... 55 3.2.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................................................... 55 3.2.2 Topography ........................................................................................................................................................... 56 3.2.3 Geology and Geomorphology .......................................................................................................................... 57 3.2.4 Flora ........................................................................................................................................................................ 61 3.2.5 Fauna ....................................................................................................................................................................... 68 3.2.6 Marine ..................................................................................................................................................................... 73 3.2.7 Aquatic Environment .......................................................................................................................................... 75 3.2.8 Aesthetic Values ................................................................................................................................................... 76 3.2.9 Heritage .................................................................................................................................................................. 77 3.2.10 Natural Hazards .............................................................................................................................................. 79 3.3 Socio-economic ......................................................................................................................................................... 81 3.3.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 81 3.3.2 Social Values .......................................................................................................................................................... 83 4 Potential Effects and their Management ........................................................................................................................