Tas Conservation Trust
The Tasmanian Conservationist
The Tasmanian Conservationist
Tas Conservation Trust
Mt. Wellington Cable Car hearings begin

TASCAT hearings for the Mount Wellington Cable Car began today, and will run for approximately three weeks / one month. Of the 21 grounds for refusal, Hobart City Council has dropped 4 grounds and retained 17.

Mt. Wellington Cable Car hearings begin

Tasmanian Tyre Clean Up - Volunteers Wanted

The Tas Conservation Trust needs volunteers to help cleanup 600 used car tyres ready for recycling 

Where: 294 Old Forcett Road, Forcett
When: On Friday 24 February – 9 am to 12 noon & Saturday 25 February – 9 am to 12 noon
Why:

The owner of this property rescues and rehabilitates horses. The 600 car tyres are a fire hazard for the owner and the horses. The Tasmanian Conservation Trust is paying to have the tyres taken away and recycled by the Melbourne company ‘Tyrecycle’.

But we need volunteers to collect and stack the tyres ready for collection. Some tyres also have dirt inside that needs to be removed before they can be accepted by the recycler. Please come along if you have a spare hour or two.

What to bring:

  • Wire brushes or other stiff brushes.
  • Gardening gloves.
  • Wear sturdy shoes, long trousers, long-sleeve shirt, bring a hat and sun screen.
  • Bring your own drink and snacks.

Further information:
Peter McGlone
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545

 

Director’s report May 2016

Director’s report May 2016

First, let me apologise for the long period since the last newsletter. We have had a few changes here at the TCT, most significant being the departure last December of long serving TCT officer manager Trish McKeown. Those who knew Trish would know she didn’t want a great fuss being made about her, but I do feel it necessary to say thank you to her publically on behalf of all TCT members, councillors and staff, past and present.

Two futures for Rosny Hill

Two futures for Rosny Hill

In the August 2015 Tasmanian Conservationist issue no.335 I wrote about a very worrying proposal for a large tourism development in the Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area, on Hobart’s eastern shore. This very important, if small, reserve of 20 hectares includes numerous threatened flora and significant grasslands and forest communities. The proposed development would have a footprint of about 30% of the reserves area, including 120 accommodation suites, a function centre catering for 300 people and a 150-seat restaurant.

One lucky little Devil

Reducing the number of native animals killed on our roads has been a major TCT campaign for three decades. The issue is now accepted and publicised as having serious consequences for our native species and there is agreement that it requires more coordinated, sustained action. To catalyse this, TCT is currently undertaking a survey of all Tasmanian road managers, to determine their strategies and actions to reduce roadkill within their jurisdictions. The survey will help to gauge where there might be better coordination of resources and effort, that might lead to fewer deaths and injuries of animals on our roads. As part of its response, Hydro Tasmania sent the following article from Stornaway.

​TCT exposes flaws in Freycinet Plan changes

​TCT exposes flaws in Freycinet Plan changes

With just a few days before submissions were due on the proposed amendments to the Freycinet National Park Management Plan, the TCT discovered the true implication of the proposal. In our media release of Sunday 29 February 2016, we exposed the true consequences of the proposed amendments, which go well beyond the government’s stated objective of allowing expansion of Freycinet Lodge.

Firewood collection best practice

Firewood collection best practice

The TCT has long advocated for better management and regulation of firewood collection. As well as encouraging other heating methods, we have supported a move away from sourcing wood from old-growth trees (alive, dead or fallen) because of their importance for biodiversity, towards using young regrowth trees from forests that are not habitats of threatened species or ecological communities. Until recently, my support of plantation wood for firewood had been dismissed.

Forestry Tasmania’s FSC application hits obstacles

Forestry Tasmania’s FSC application hits obstacles

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management audit report, produced by auditing company SCS Global Services, was released by Forestry Tasmania on 1 March 2016. The state government responded by acknowledging that 90% of the auditor’s forest management standards were met, missing the point that there were 12 major non-conformities and just one prevents certification being granted.

Fire in the wilderness

Fire in the wilderness

The bushfire situation in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) has worsened significantly in the last 40 years. In the early 1980s, malicious and spiteful lighting of fires was rampant, particularly along the Lyell Highway, although this human malevolence seems to have largely abated. Accidental ignitions from campfires and other human folly require vigilant controls, but they are not the most significant threat. Since the early 2000s fires started by dry lightning have become the most significant concern.

World Heritage Committee mission a victory for wilderness protection

The intervention of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) has resulted in the state government dropping plans to allow mining and logging in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) and commit to a range of other positive changes to the draft management plan. However, there is still doubt about whether the government’s approach to tourism projects in the TWWHA will change significantly in response to the WHC.