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

World Heritage Area under Threat

It seems that the entire Tasmanian conservation movement is united in its opposition to the Abbott Coalition government’s proposal to the World Heritage Committee to revoke 74,000 hectares from the 170,000 ha which was added to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) in June 2013. As well as writing to the Federal Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, the TCT made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications which is investigating this proposal

Tassie’s troubled waters

The recent finding of a giant jellyfish on a beach south of Hobart (Howden, February 2014) highlights the exciting fact that there are still things in nature, and the ocean in particular, that we know little about. The jellyfish was measured 1.5m in diameter and it has been confirmed as the most rarely seen of the three species of lion’s mane jellyfish found in Tasmania. The lion's mane can grow to be one of the largest of all jellyfish. Although not deadly, the species will deliver a nasty sting and a cold pack should be used to reduce the pain.

Indian Myna

Indian mynas are a serious pest in Tasmania does not currently Australia and are considered one of. of the world's 100 worst in invasive species. Indian mynas are highly invasive birds that can  rapidly colonise new areas. First (incursions to prevent 1860s, mynas are now found along the east coast of Australia from Victoria to Queensland.

Copping Hazardous waste dump

Over the last 12 months the public debate over the proposed Copping hazardous waste disposal landfill (or C-cell) has been the catalyst for a renewed debate about a range of waste management issues. The proponent of the Copping C-cell, Southern Waste Solutions, has suggested a number of times that the community should refrain from criticising the C-cell because most of us are probably sending household hazardous waste (HHW) to existing landfill sites, which are not designed to contain such wastes, and that this is probably causing significant environmental harm and risk to human health.

Household Battery Recycling

The MobileMuster is a free mobile-phone industrial recycling program that accepts all brands and types of mobile phones, plus their batteries, chargers and accessories. Check the website for drop-off sites: http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/ When we contacted our local waste transfer station to dispose of batteries we were told that it only accepts car batteries and will not accept torch, clock and camera batteries.

Seven Mile golf development likely to be refused

As reported in the last Tasmanian Conservationist (December 2013, #330), the Clarence City Council voted (close to unanimously) at its meeting on 21 October 2013 to support the proposed rezoning of the eastern portion of the Seven Mile Beach peninsula to allow the Mat Goggin proposed golf course and accommodation development. The council vote triggered a public consultation process prior to Christmas which drew a massive response of 168 submissions – the great majority opposed to the rezoning and development. 

Why Tasmania needs the EDO

The Environmental Defenders Office (Tasmania) (EDO Tasmania) is part of a national network of community legal centres providing free advice and information regarding environmental and planning laws. In December 2013, federal funding we have relied upon since 1996 was cut without warning. These cuts threaten the ongoing operation of EDO Tasmania and may mean that this valuable service is not available in future to help communities to protect the places that they love. So, why does Tasmania need an EDO?