Environment
Hall’s Island (pictured above) and the surrounding Lake Malbena are threatened by commercial development. The Club has strongly urged the Federal Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, to protect the area, which is right next to the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. The original hut built by Reg Hall is just visible in the photo, to the left of the white tree stump. Hall is widely recognised as the father of the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.
The Club has long been vigilant in support of wild places, and has acted as a voice for the community to call for the protection of Tasmania’s most beautiful places for future generations.
An original mission statement of the Hobart Walking Club in 1929 was “To preserve and protect the natural environment”. Club officials and members have been instrumental in the declaration of early reserves and national parks – see HWC_Environment_Achievements.
The tragic flooding of Lake Pedder in 1972 alerted many people to the urgent need to protect the environment. The huge public resentment at the loss of Pedder fuelled the enormous groundswell of protest that overturned the plan to dam the Franklin River.
Since that time, the Club has regularly engaged with governments to call for the protection of areas important to us and to the wider bushwalking community.
Recent activity by the Environment Committee on behalf of the Club includes:
- contribution to the Maria Island NP Management Plan 2021
- submission opposing the Mt Wellington Cableway Development Application 2021
- submission opposing the Cradle Mountain Cableway (now abandoned)
- ongoing input about the Walker Registration System operated by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
- submission opposing the Revised Halls Island - Lake Malbena Development Proposal
- contribution to the Draft Wellington Park Visitor and Information Strategy
- opposition to an Application by the Kentish Rifle Club for a shooting range at Mount Maggs (the Application was declined).
