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Tasmania specific bushwalking discussion. Please avoid publishing details of access to sensitive areas with no tracks.Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Tue 06 Aug, 2019 11:26 am
Well, that's an interesting way to totally twist the BBF's objections to the proposal, isn't it.
Someone needs to tweet back to the twits that the objections are not about bushwalkers, as bushwalkers already visit the area. "Bushwalkers" and "experience-seekers with lots of money who need formed tracks and fancy huts" are not synonymous.
And what relevance are the range's status and mining exploration license? We're objecting to the area being damaged, the same way we object to ongoing damage in the non-NP, non-TWWHA Tarkine.
Someone needs to tweet back to the twits that the objections are not about bushwalkers, as bushwalkers already visit the area. "Bushwalkers" and "experience-seekers with lots of money who need formed tracks and fancy huts" are not synonymous.
And what relevance are the range's status and mining exploration license? We're objecting to the area being damaged, the same way we object to ongoing damage in the non-NP, non-TWWHA Tarkine.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 26 Sep, 2019 8:46 am
'We Believe'
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 26 Sep, 2019 5:42 pm
I wonder how many people could be organised to 'dislike' this video on YouTube?
I'd be much happier if the west coast remained 'wild' as stated in the video
I'd be much happier if the west coast remained 'wild' as stated in the video
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 26 Sep, 2019 8:33 pm
How’s the brief mention of Tasmania’s aboriginal heritage which very quickly moves on to a very long string of words describing the European history of the area 
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 27 Sep, 2019 11:39 am
And a shot at 'future prospects'. The 20mil is 'up to 20 mil' and the Tyndalls section seems to have become a primary focus. They're only about bullying 'greenies', this mob.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 17 Jan, 2020 7:42 am
I'm wondering if there has been any news regarding the walk route?, touched on in this sweeping interview with Jen Fry @ 22.20 (which itself is interesting insight to park tourism if you have the time): https://player.fm/series/talking-touris ... th-jen-fry
It strikes me, throughout the interview how we are making the choice to populate parks (many of the new works are proactive to this choice) but even from a governance or management perspective, nobody really knows why (especially stark for anyone visiting Cradle Mt. recently.. Why would you?? Invariably they ask themselves when it's too late, overwhelmingly the question comes up 'What is there to do here', next we'll need to further develop interesting things to do..).
Out in parks we harden tracks, which is good because braiding has a chance to recover, and it's easier for more people/ different types of people, to walk further into the wilderness, to gnarly un-tracked places ..
Sure, there's money circulating. Our fat cats may help lift some work visa countries from poverty.., and there'll be more important seeming jobs for public servants to direct tourists around, hopefully keep some semblance of control.. (not for Jen, she's off to the fish farms
)..
It strikes me, throughout the interview how we are making the choice to populate parks (many of the new works are proactive to this choice) but even from a governance or management perspective, nobody really knows why (especially stark for anyone visiting Cradle Mt. recently.. Why would you?? Invariably they ask themselves when it's too late, overwhelmingly the question comes up 'What is there to do here', next we'll need to further develop interesting things to do..).
Out in parks we harden tracks, which is good because braiding has a chance to recover, and it's easier for more people/ different types of people, to walk further into the wilderness, to gnarly un-tracked places ..
Sure, there's money circulating. Our fat cats may help lift some work visa countries from poverty.., and there'll be more important seeming jobs for public servants to direct tourists around, hopefully keep some semblance of control.. (not for Jen, she's off to the fish farms
)..
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Sun 02 Feb, 2020 5:22 pm
Quite apart from my misgivings about inviting the hoards into such a fragile place, I don’t really understand the Tyndalls as a choice for a paying/hut based walk. Yes, it’s undeniably beautiful but the weather is also undeniably rubbish a lot of the time. The plateau is surely a lot more exposed than a lot of other tracked walks. Look at the rescues that seem to occur on the overland with monotonous regularity. Plus, I just don’t think the type of walker this is aimed wants to endure those conditions.
Perhaps, the government is banking on climate change to improve the weather.
While I understand that the West Coast seems to be in pretty dire straits financially, I’m not convinced this will really help anyway.
Perhaps, the government is banking on climate change to improve the weather.
While I understand that the West Coast seems to be in pretty dire straits financially, I’m not convinced this will really help anyway.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 28 Feb, 2020 9:51 pm
You’re completely right Hermione. It’s like spending two full days walking across the cirque on the Overland Track - and that is not a pleasant place to be on an angry day (which is quite common - even more so on the Tyndall’s!). It’s actually one of the strongest ticks for the Trans-Tarkine proposal - that most of it traverses more sheltered and lower elevated environments. Any consultation with bushwalkers should give the government the same response - so it makes you wonder who they have putting together these ideas in the first place. If they could simply let go of the anti-green and anti-bob brown stigma, I think a very classy product could be produced on the west coast where it is definitely much needed.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Wed 02 Sep, 2020 9:38 am
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Wed 02 Sep, 2020 9:54 am
" ... the “conceptual route” being considered had evolved to a single through-route corridor from the Anthony Highway near Lake Plimsoll to Lake Margaret, via Glacier Valley and Lake Huntley, then onwards south through the cluster of male-named 'M' lakes, then female-named 'M' lakes, and northwest of Lake Margaret. Up to four potential huts sites were indicated, one being Lake Huntley. The 'market research' is supposedly testing whether a 1, 2 or even 3-night model is most attractive."
Finishing at Margaret is a good idea. Withholding judgment until we get a map of the route. But how could you possibly drag that out into a 3 night walk? On a good track even doddery old me could do that in a day and half easily.
Finishing at Margaret is a good idea. Withholding judgment until we get a map of the route. But how could you possibly drag that out into a 3 night walk? On a good track even doddery old me could do that in a day and half easily.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Wed 02 Sep, 2020 10:52 am
Yeah, it seems a waste to make such a big investment, a proposal that a basic low-level track and a single campsite would serve.
'Designed for politics', a pragmatic approach it seems would better focus on using the existing infrastructure and highlights, the many lakes and varying environs. Maybe not even a focus on walking a long way.. 'Next Iconic smart use of resources'.
Anyway.. I reckon the view from many points north of Lk Margaret is awesome enough (without needing to climb much higher).
'Designed for politics', a pragmatic approach it seems would better focus on using the existing infrastructure and highlights, the many lakes and varying environs. Maybe not even a focus on walking a long way.. 'Next Iconic smart use of resources'.
Anyway.. I reckon the view from many points north of Lk Margaret is awesome enough (without needing to climb much higher).
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 6:41 am
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 6:50 am
Nuts wrote:https://www.westcoast.tas.gov.au/news/latest-news/tasmanias-next-iconic-walk-project-tyndall-range-west-coast?fbclid=IwAR272cKP9divzmve55Z-Z8dA0uXzddZL_FlxkcGpdeeUFwiN9zIBt-uIMU4
And the paragraph in the Latest News announcement
The Project is currently in the feasibility study stage. The PWS is seeking your assistance through a survey to identify the benefits you think will arise from this project, so that the feasibility study can be as comprehensive as possible.
Only 'benefits' will be considered in the feasibility study. I suppose thats one way of ensuring it gets a tick
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 7:12 am
Not sure if it's also intentionally long winded and ambiguous .
They can make any walks a 'success', with the government-sized advertising budget.
I just wanted to say that routing an overnight walk over the range and building facilities up there was a bad idea (for the environs but I also suspect for safety and experience). But expect that this is the preferred money spinner, building facilities and exclusive-ating tracks.
A paragraph to council will cover it: wcc@westcoast.tas.gov.au
They can make any walks a 'success', with the government-sized advertising budget.
I just wanted to say that routing an overnight walk over the range and building facilities up there was a bad idea (for the environs but I also suspect for safety and experience). But expect that this is the preferred money spinner, building facilities and exclusive-ating tracks.
A paragraph to council will cover it: wcc@westcoast.tas.gov.au
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 8:11 am
gayet wrote:Only 'benefits' will be considered in the feasibility study. I suppose that's one way of ensuring it gets a tick
That's not quite right. There is a section towards the end that asks about negative impacts.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 10:52 am
I completed the survey and left many off the multi choice answers blank as they weren't relevant to my concerns. There's also plenty of blank boxes to get your opinions on. Certainly fill it out of you have any issues for our against this proposal.
I managed to convey that a multi day walk encompassing the Tyndall plateau was a bad idea environmentally and safety wise. Certainly improving day walks and a low altitude multi day walk would benefit the local economy more in my opinion (longer season, use of local accommodation etc.)
I managed to convey that a multi day walk encompassing the Tyndall plateau was a bad idea environmentally and safety wise. Certainly improving day walks and a low altitude multi day walk would benefit the local economy more in my opinion (longer season, use of local accommodation etc.)
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 22 Jan, 2021 11:48 am
It is good to see at least some attempt to get community views. And yes there may be capacity to point out negatives, and they may be read or gleaned for more than speed bumps in a project.
Even so, whatever the project, it's generated by funding from this government and they never asked whether anyone wanted to commercialise parks, or make them pay. I'm sure i'm not the only one looking for that as a lead in question.
Q1: Do you think walking track projects should be generated by public consultation and implemented by independent park managers, geared to minimal impact and conservative or do you think that they should be demanded by politicians, geared to extracting the most return in votes? (possibly revenue but even that is speculative)
The commercial push was on the back of vague policy that was very likely missed by voters (or those that bothered to find out what policies they voted in). It doesn't really matter whether a project is proposed by Daniel Hackett or Bob Brown, there is already a lot of assumption in even proposing such public projects, or responding to them. Or playing any role in shaping them. That this is all we are doing. The examples of what is considered appropriate make it starkly obvious that the end game isn't a few random day walks or even an overnight 'icon'. Using that word is geared in hope for being seen to make more money.. which can only appear most successful with private huts and exclusivity or associated ways of drilling out the most money ($500 cabin stays with no dirty camping, this probably wont even be enough now?).
The bush doesn't benefit, so if the most money isn't extracted, not only do we just damage more wild places, the government's policy is diminished! Projects can be made seem smaller or lesser (at least to start with), or ministers may not even grasp future implications, but the immediate desired result is really quite simple to understand?
Borrowed from another recent topic, along these lines:
"I work in, and personally care about, urban planning and infrastructure construction, and there is this same meta problem I have no idea where to solve, whereby the government will never actually ask the community "should this be built or not, or maybe something else completely?", only "we're building it, what colour do you want the noise walls to be"
P.S Goodness, I do get carried away! 20mill for tourism?, yeah, smart investment!
Even so, whatever the project, it's generated by funding from this government and they never asked whether anyone wanted to commercialise parks, or make them pay. I'm sure i'm not the only one looking for that as a lead in question.
Q1: Do you think walking track projects should be generated by public consultation and implemented by independent park managers, geared to minimal impact and conservative or do you think that they should be demanded by politicians, geared to extracting the most return in votes? (possibly revenue but even that is speculative)
The commercial push was on the back of vague policy that was very likely missed by voters (or those that bothered to find out what policies they voted in). It doesn't really matter whether a project is proposed by Daniel Hackett or Bob Brown, there is already a lot of assumption in even proposing such public projects, or responding to them. Or playing any role in shaping them. That this is all we are doing. The examples of what is considered appropriate make it starkly obvious that the end game isn't a few random day walks or even an overnight 'icon'. Using that word is geared in hope for being seen to make more money.. which can only appear most successful with private huts and exclusivity or associated ways of drilling out the most money ($500 cabin stays with no dirty camping, this probably wont even be enough now?).
The bush doesn't benefit, so if the most money isn't extracted, not only do we just damage more wild places, the government's policy is diminished! Projects can be made seem smaller or lesser (at least to start with), or ministers may not even grasp future implications, but the immediate desired result is really quite simple to understand?
Borrowed from another recent topic, along these lines:
"I work in, and personally care about, urban planning and infrastructure construction, and there is this same meta problem I have no idea where to solve, whereby the government will never actually ask the community "should this be built or not, or maybe something else completely?", only "we're building it, what colour do you want the noise walls to be"
P.S Goodness, I do get carried away! 20mill for tourism?, yeah, smart investment!
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 22 Mar, 2021 7:55 am
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 06 Sep, 2021 9:28 am
From The Advocate (the newspaper, not Brett Godfrey or Rob Sherrard):
"A game-changing new multi-day walking experience in the Tyndall Range on the West Coast is another step closer to reality.
A feasibility study has resulted in the Tasmanian Government doubling its financial commitment to $40 million.
Minister for Parks Jacquie Petrusma said a three day, two night, hut based experience was recommended after exploring multiple route options.
"The feasibility study indicates that this walk has the potential to generate 139 jobs during construction and a further 40 jobs ongoing once operations," Ms Petrusma said.
She said the feasibility study had been conducted with a range of stakeholders including economists, walkers and local businesses.
"Detailed design work will now commence on planning, hut designs and approvals before the project will be assessed through the Reserve Activity Assessment process."
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Luke Martin said the walk was a significant investment but the returns would be generated over years of new visitation and economic activity within the region.
"These are generational projects for the state," Mr Martin said.
"The walk will bring a whole new type of visitor to the West Coast, encouraging new businesses to establish in the region and investment to flow."
Labelling the walk an "absolute game-changer", West by North West chief executive officer Tom Wootton said confidence in the West Coast tourism industry had galvanised recently.
"In light of this commitment, there's absolutely nothing stopping the West Coast becoming a global heavy weight in nature-based adventure tourism," Mr Wootton said.
When the multi-day walk was announced in 2019, former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown proposed an alternative route, dubbed the 11 Lakes Route.
"The Tyndalls plateau is very fragile, never burnt alpine country and will suffer much more from thousands of visitors walking over it and going off-track each year," Dr Brown said at that time.
He said creating a tourism track over such an exposed ridge was dangerous"
"A game-changing new multi-day walking experience in the Tyndall Range on the West Coast is another step closer to reality.
A feasibility study has resulted in the Tasmanian Government doubling its financial commitment to $40 million.
Minister for Parks Jacquie Petrusma said a three day, two night, hut based experience was recommended after exploring multiple route options.
"The feasibility study indicates that this walk has the potential to generate 139 jobs during construction and a further 40 jobs ongoing once operations," Ms Petrusma said.
She said the feasibility study had been conducted with a range of stakeholders including economists, walkers and local businesses.
"Detailed design work will now commence on planning, hut designs and approvals before the project will be assessed through the Reserve Activity Assessment process."
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Luke Martin said the walk was a significant investment but the returns would be generated over years of new visitation and economic activity within the region.
"These are generational projects for the state," Mr Martin said.
"The walk will bring a whole new type of visitor to the West Coast, encouraging new businesses to establish in the region and investment to flow."
Labelling the walk an "absolute game-changer", West by North West chief executive officer Tom Wootton said confidence in the West Coast tourism industry had galvanised recently.
"In light of this commitment, there's absolutely nothing stopping the West Coast becoming a global heavy weight in nature-based adventure tourism," Mr Wootton said.
When the multi-day walk was announced in 2019, former Australian Greens leader Bob Brown proposed an alternative route, dubbed the 11 Lakes Route.
"The Tyndalls plateau is very fragile, never burnt alpine country and will suffer much more from thousands of visitors walking over it and going off-track each year," Dr Brown said at that time.
He said creating a tourism track over such an exposed ridge was dangerous"
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 06 Sep, 2021 12:11 pm
If they really consulted with walkers it wasn't with people who know the Tyndalls. Weather, sensitive ecosystems ... this is a disaster in the making.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 06 Sep, 2021 4:13 pm
Not these seasoned walkers:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=213106314197257
The one positive is that plans don't appear to include traversing the range.
In terms of access it's sounding like a Three Capes model, which skips camping (and minimalism) as a wilderness best practice in favour of a hut experience (likely one for one pubic/private).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=213106314197257
The one positive is that plans don't appear to include traversing the range.
In terms of access it's sounding like a Three Capes model, which skips camping (and minimalism) as a wilderness best practice in favour of a hut experience (likely one for one pubic/private).
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 06 Sep, 2021 5:59 pm
OK - I have attempted to create the alignment as per the pretty poor maps. It does seem that they have moved to some lower terrain but the hut/campsites sites are still a worry
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Mon 06 Sep, 2021 6:15 pm
...and the original Philosophers Tale Proposal
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Tue 07 Sep, 2021 10:47 am
It's hard to see where that extra pot of money is going with the shift in plans. Lot's of people upset, it's tempting to think they'll affect planning:
- Screen Shot 2021-09-07 at 10.39.36 am.png (14.06 KiB) Viewed 20321 times
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 09 Sep, 2021 7:45 am
Further commentary. Not likely to make a profit?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/tyndall-ranges-proposed-bushwalk-feasibility/100443136
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/tyndall-ranges-proposed-bushwalk-feasibility/100443136
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 09 Sep, 2021 8:32 am
As I understand it, The Overland Track has always operated at cost or slim profit. But then, just working from the walker returns mentioned here, gambling on positive reviews (rather than an already established market or (3C) some of the best weather in Tassie), it's pretty obvious there's a chance for a disastrous loss.
Good to see campsites but they make almost no sense community or conservation wise do they, for a walk with huts and such fickle weather. Given the poor weather can't hardly sell camping only tickets, it would be a nightmare (impossible?) for the track rangers to manage other than camping being optional (as on the OT) (where they were already in place). So, it's very likely, whatever is in the plans, the footprint catering for each walker is inevitably doubled.
Good to see campsites but they make almost no sense community or conservation wise do they, for a walk with huts and such fickle weather. Given the poor weather can't hardly sell camping only tickets, it would be a nightmare (impossible?) for the track rangers to manage other than camping being optional (as on the OT) (where they were already in place). So, it's very likely, whatever is in the plans, the footprint catering for each walker is inevitably doubled.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Thu 09 Sep, 2021 12:23 pm
gayet wrote:Further commentary. Not likely to make a profit?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-09/tyndall-ranges-proposed-bushwalk-feasibility/100443136
So it's pay entry only according to that article. Once more, independent walkers being locked out of areas - because even the camping option is ridiculously overpriced and you can bet it will be bookings only. No waiting for a weather window and hitting the road on spec.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 10 Sep, 2021 3:32 pm
Removed from the premier's page but for those on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=39 ... 1821550347
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=39 ... 1821550347
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 10 Sep, 2021 5:54 pm
I'm curious if they give refunds for lousy, as in extreme weather?
Mr Brown said other multi-day walks of Overland and Frenchmans Cap Tracks were at capacity and required bookings well in advance
How does one account for tourists booking then turning up to typical West Coast wet weather?
I thought these comments were silly, naive
Welcome to the rainforest, don't complain about the rain' is one of our top sayings on the West Coast
Weather was always taken into consideration, but this is the West Coast," Mr Brown said
If it's raining I'd imagine not much joy for mainlanders, definitely no view whatsoever.
Mr Brown said other multi-day walks of Overland and Frenchmans Cap Tracks were at capacity and required bookings well in advance
How does one account for tourists booking then turning up to typical West Coast wet weather?
I thought these comments were silly, naive
Welcome to the rainforest, don't complain about the rain' is one of our top sayings on the West Coast
Weather was always taken into consideration, but this is the West Coast," Mr Brown said
If it's raining I'd imagine not much joy for mainlanders, definitely no view whatsoever.
Re: Have your say on Tassie’s next iconic multi-day walk
Fri 10 Sep, 2021 7:11 pm
Advocate:
"West Coast leaders have dampened fears that wet weather is of concern for the proposed next iconic walk at the Tyndall Ranges.
Destination West Coast president Anthony Brown said concerns of poor weather were blown out of proportion.
"Weather was always taken into consideration, but this is the West Coast," Mr Brown said.
He said the Tyndall Ranges weren't in the ball park of popular New Zealand walking destinations Milford and Routeburn that only open in summer due to weather conditions.
"The rain compares with Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain.
"'Welcome to the rainforest, don't complain about the rain' is one of our top sayings on the West Coast."
West Coast mayor Shane Pitt said West Coasters celebrated the rain.
"We on the West Coast don't believe rain means that you can't have fun," Cr Pitt said.
"As someone who has enjoyed the West Coast wilderness my whole life and who has for years been a keen walker, I am excited to see this walk.
"It will be a game changer for the West Coast and the community.
"[We are] already seeing the excitement from our local kids as potential new career opportunities open up for them with this investment."
Destination West Coast submitted the Tyndall Ranges project.
Mr Brown said the reason the tourism association submitted the project wasn't just to do with the walk.
"But to open up the West Coast because it has beautiful scenery and topography to share with the work and this will benefit the towns."
He said the walk would open up a whole new market.
"They can still walk there [Tyndall Ranges], it's not locked up... this will stop people from walking where they want.
"It's no different to the Three Capes Track."
Mr Brown said other multi-day walks of Overland and Frenchmans Cap Tracks were at capacity and required bookings well in advance.
"The same thing will happen with the Tyndalls."
"West Coast leaders have dampened fears that wet weather is of concern for the proposed next iconic walk at the Tyndall Ranges.
Destination West Coast president Anthony Brown said concerns of poor weather were blown out of proportion.
"Weather was always taken into consideration, but this is the West Coast," Mr Brown said.
He said the Tyndall Ranges weren't in the ball park of popular New Zealand walking destinations Milford and Routeburn that only open in summer due to weather conditions.
"The rain compares with Strahan, Queenstown and Cradle Mountain.
"'Welcome to the rainforest, don't complain about the rain' is one of our top sayings on the West Coast."
West Coast mayor Shane Pitt said West Coasters celebrated the rain.
"We on the West Coast don't believe rain means that you can't have fun," Cr Pitt said.
"As someone who has enjoyed the West Coast wilderness my whole life and who has for years been a keen walker, I am excited to see this walk.
"It will be a game changer for the West Coast and the community.
"[We are] already seeing the excitement from our local kids as potential new career opportunities open up for them with this investment."
Destination West Coast submitted the Tyndall Ranges project.
Mr Brown said the reason the tourism association submitted the project wasn't just to do with the walk.
"But to open up the West Coast because it has beautiful scenery and topography to share with the work and this will benefit the towns."
He said the walk would open up a whole new market.
"They can still walk there [Tyndall Ranges], it's not locked up... this will stop people from walking where they want.
"It's no different to the Three Capes Track."
Mr Brown said other multi-day walks of Overland and Frenchmans Cap Tracks were at capacity and required bookings well in advance.
"The same thing will happen with the Tyndalls."
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