In response to the ongoing, tragic and seemingly intractable issue of roadkill, the TCT conducted a survey of all major road managers within the state to try to identify where there might be better coordination of resources and effort, hopefully leading to fewer deaths and injuries of animals on our roads. Here is the summary of results and recommendations.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Margaret Atkinson (see Vale Margaret Atkinson by Janice Bird).
I worked in the TCT office with her for five years while she was our office manager. Margaret was very tough on us all about paying bills and providing reports on time. There were many scientists who received funding through grants the TCT administered who can attest to her valued discipline in this area. I fondly remember Margaret assisting several times with tree-planting and gorse-cutting events that I organised at the South Esk Pine reserve near Coles Bay. After one such event I saw a much more relaxed side of her – after a few wines! We will miss you, Margaret.
The TCT stated today that the revised Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy, released last Sunday by Minister for Resources Guy Barnett, fails to deliver the long anticipated ban on broad-scale clearing and conversion of native forests on private land. Clearing on private land can now continue with no absolute limit.
25 MAY 2017 - TCT's RESPONSES TO THE STATE BUDGET FOR 2017-18
Reserve management
The TCT Director Peter McGlone said that the "The government's ongoing funding of the Tourism Infrastructure In Parks Program, new funds to improve management of Darlington Convict World Heritage Site and additional funding for the Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience are positive initiatives."
"However, this budget continues this government's focus on visitor infrastructure and iconic parks rather than increasing he Parks and Wildlife Service's staffing levels to improve management of all reserves for their natural and cultural values as well as for tourism."
Tasmanian Planning Policies Legislation – Minister Gutwein’s next power grab
The TCT said today that the Draft Tasmanian Planning Polices Bill 2017, recently released for public comment, proposes to provide the Minister for Planning Minister Peter Gutwein with almost total power over the drafting, making and amending of planning policies. The public comment period on the Draft Bill closed on Monday 15 May 2017.
The credibility of Peter Gutwein's planning reform process has hit an all time low with the discovery by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust that the minister's Tasmanian Planning Polices, released earlier in April for public comment, are now being promoted on the Department of Justice web site as 'examples only to aid in your review of the draft bill. They are not intended for consultation at this time'. http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/community-consultation/planning_amendments_bill
Submitted to the letters page, Examiner, 1 May 2017
Water and sewerage
Peter Gutwein says 'I am surprised that the TCT accepts the state of Tasmania's infrastructure as satisfactory' (Letters, 28 April 2017). The TCT doesn't accept the status quo, we ask the minister to tell the truth about how bad sewerage management is and the causes.
The TCT supports the state government’s proposal to legislate to make containment of pet cats compulsory, but our support is conditional.The government must phase-in compulsory measures, over several years at least, and fund effective education programs during this time to ensure that every cat owner is informed of their responsibilities and has time to put in place effective containment measures.
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:
Further information:
Peter McGlone
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545
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.
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.
