Protected areas of Tasmania

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Protected areas of Tasmania
Map showing national parks of Tasmania

Protected areas of Tasmania consist of protected areas located within Tasmania and its immediate onshore waters, including Macquarie Island. It includes areas of crown land (withheld land) managed by Tasmanian Government agencies as well as private reserves. As of 2016, 52% of Tasmania's land area has some form of reservation classification, the majority is managed by the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service (about 42% of total Tasmanian land area). Marine protected areas cover about 7.9% of state waters.

Contents

Within each classification of reserve there may be a variation of IUCN categories Australia is a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity and as such has obligations to report the status of its National Reserve System.IUCN provides on its website a prescription for activities consistent with the categorisation system. Changes made to the Nature Conservation Act 2002 in 2014 permit timber harvesting. These changes made in addition to the already established right to access minerals means that many of the IUCN categorisations assigned to individual reserves in Tasmania are no longer fit for purpose. In addition many reserves have had their reserve status downgraded from a class excluding timber harvesting and mineral extraction to ones where these activities are now permitted. This mis-application of the IUCN protected area categories needs to be remedied or the reserves protected land class under the Nature Conservation Act 2002 should be adjusted to reflect its currently assigned IUCN category.

Legislation and management

Summary of area totals

At 30 June 2016, Tasmania's terrestrial reserves cover 3.4 million hectares (8.4×10^6 acres) (about 50.1% of the area of Tasmania), of which Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service manages 823 reserves (about 2.9 million ha (7.2 million acres), or over 42% of the area of Tasmania). [2] [10]

The following table demonstrates the distribution of terrestrial protected areas as of June 2016, any marine areas are excluded. All protected areas not managed by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service or Sustainable Timber Tasmania is grouped into "other", including: formal and informal reserves on public land, reserves on private land, and Wellington Park. [2] [11] [10]

OperatorClass or categoryNumberTotal area*
(ha)		Percentage of all reserved area
TPWSConservation area438622,00018.2%
Game reserve1213,0000.4%
Historic site309,0000.3%
National park191,463,00042.9%
Nature recreation area2567,0002.0%
Nature reserves8635,0001.0%
Regional reserves148454,00013.3%
State reserves6546,0001.4%
Total
managed by TPWS		8232,709,00079.3%
STTInformal reserve—121,0003.6%
DPIPWEFuture potential production forest—392,00011.5%
OtherOther
not managed by TPWS or STT		—192,0005.6%
—Total
of all Tasmanian reserved area		—3,415,000100%
*rounding to nearest 1,000 hectares
Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment is denoted by DPIPWE,
Sustainable Timber Tasmania by STT and Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service by TPWS

Marine

Commonwealth marine reserves

There are several Commonwealth marine reserves in the vicinity of Tasmania, these reserves are not within state waters and are managed by the Australian government. All of the reserves are part of the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network which contains an additional 4 reserves. [12]

Tasmanian marine protected areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs) in Tasmanian state waters are classed as either conservation area, national park or nature reserve. Only the nature reserve or national park class have either restricted fishing or no take zones. [13] [14] Of the approximately 135,000 hectares (330,000 acres) of marine protected areas, about 48,000 hectares (120,000 acres) is restricted fishing or no take, Macquarie Island (~75,000 ha (190,000 acres)) is a wholly no-take zone. [10]

In total 7.9% of Tasmania's State coastal waters is reserved, however only 4.2% is in no-take areas and the majority of this is concentrated around subantarctic Macquarie Island. Only 1.1% of Tasmania's immediate coastal waters are fully protected in no-take areas. [13]

Private reserves

Reserves on private land is about 4% of the terrestrial protected areas in Tasmania. [10]

Conservation Covenant

Landowners may protect some areas of their land by entering into a Conservation Covenant which is legally binding under the Nature Conservation Act (2002) and is registered on the land title. Although usually in perpetuity, about 7% [10] of the covenant area in Tasmania is fixed-term. [15] [16] In December 2016, there were 819 covenants covering an area of about 99,000 ha (240,000 acres). [17]

Indigenous Protected Areas

There are 8 Indigenous Protected Area in Tasmania, covering an area of about 11,000 ha (27,000 acres). [18]

IUCN V

IUCN VI

Private sanctuaries

Land reserved for the significant natural or cultural values while permitting the carrying out of agricultural or other activities consistent on preserving the values of the land. [1]

Wellington Park

Wellington Park is the protected area which encompasses Mount Wellington and surrounds near Hobart. It is IUCN protected area category II and covers an area of about 18,000 ha (44,000 acres). [18] It is managed by the Wellington Park Management Trust established in 1993 whose members include: Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, DPIPWE, TasWater and Tourism Tasmania. [19]

State forest

Future potential production forest

'Future potential production forest land' (FPPF or FPPFL) is crown land administered by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) where, except in some circumstances for "special species timbers", no native forest harvesting can be undertaken. It was formally classified as 'future reserve land' (FRL) under the Tasmanian Forests Agreement. FPPF may be converted to 'permanent timber production zone land' (PTPZ or PTPZL) after 2020. [6] [7]

Background

The Tasmanian Forests Agreement which was passed in 2013 [20] after almost 4 years of negotiations, [21] categorised about 400,000 hectares (990,000 acres) of crown land native forest as FRL, which included areas of forests of the Styx, Weld, Upper Florentine, Great Western Tiers and Tarkine regions. [20] The fate of FRL was dependent upon Tasmanian forest practices gaining Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. [22] In the recent 2014 audit, Forestry Tasmania (now Sustainable Timber Tasmania) complied with 193 indicators, but needed further action on 10 more. [23] [24]

In September 2014 the Tasmanian government passed legislation [25] which reclassified the 400,000 hectares of FRL as FPPF. After the expiration of the memorandum in April 2020, areas of FPPF can be converted to PTPZ where native forest logging can occur, subject to parliamentary approval. Until 2020, only limited "special species timber" harvesting can be undertaken in FPPF. [7] [21] [26]

Permanent timber production zone land

Sustainable Timber Tasmania is a government business enterprise owned by the Tasmanian Government which manages and operates state forest on crown land (officially classified as 'permanent timber production zone land'). Some of this land has informal protection and is managed for conservation as part of the Tasmanian CAR reserve system (e.g. habitat for threatened species, streamside protection, landscape connectivity). [5] Informal reserves on the public production forest land cover about 121,000 ha (300,000 acres). [10]

Forest reserves

Forest reserves are located on 'permanent timber production zone land' and may have recreation or other tourism facilities. [27]

Conservation areas

A protected area of land predominantly in a natural state. The sustainable use of natural resources may be permitted, such as mining, special species timber harvesting or hunting. [1] [28] There are 438 conservation areas covering a terrestrial area of about 622,000 ha (1,540,000 acres). [11] [10] Mostly IUCN protected area categories IV, V or VI. [18]

IUCN Ia or Ib

IUCN II

IUCN III

IUCN IV

IUCN V

IUCN VI

Marine conservation areas

Conservation areas that are marine protected areas cover about 12,000 ha (30,000 acres) of state waters, [11] [10] and are all IUCN protected area category VI. [18] Marine conservation areas do not have any fishing restrictions. [14]

Game reserves

An area of land conserved for containing natural values that are unique, important or have representative value; particularly games species and allowing the sustainable hunting these species. [1] [28] There are 12 game reserves covering an area of about 20,000 ha (49,000 acres), [11] [10] all are IUCN protected area category VI. [18]

Historic sites

Land with significant historic cultural heritage and is conserved for presentation of these features for public appreciation and education. [1] [28] There are 30 historic sites covering an area of about 16,000 ha (40,000 acres). [11] [10] Most are IUCN protected area category V. [18]

IUCN II

IUCN IV

IUCN V

National parks

A national park in Tasmania is defined as a large natural area of land containing a representative or outstanding sample of major natural regions, features or scenery. National parks serve to protect and maintain the natural and cultural values of the area of land while providing for ecologically sustainable recreation. [1] [28] There are 19 national parks covering a terrestrial area of about 1,468,000 ha (3,630,000 acres), the largest protected area category in Tasmania. [11] [10] [18]

IUCN Ia or Ib

IUCN II

National parks (marine)

Three national parks also have a marine protected area component. These cover about 48,000 ha (120,000 acres) of state waters. [11] [10]

Nature recreation areas

Is predominantly in a natural state or contains sensitive natural sites of significance for recreation. Reserved for public recreation and education consistent with conserving the values of the area. [1] [28] There are 25 nature recreation areas covering an area of about 67,000 ha (170,000 acres), mostly IUCN protected area category V. [11] [10] [18]

IUCN III

IUCN V

IUCN VI

Nature reserves

An area of land that is conserved for the natural values that contribute to the natural biological or geological diversity of the area and are unique, important or have representative value. [1] [28] There are 86 nature reserves covering a terrestrial area of about 36,000 ha (89,000 acres). Mostly IUCN protected area category Ia. [11] [10] [18]

IUCN Ia

IUCN IV

IUCN V

Marine nature reserves

Nature reserves that are marine protected areas cover about 76,000 ha (190,000 acres) of state waters (includes Macquarie Island). [11] [10]

Regional reserves

May have also previously been known as forest reserves, a regional reserve is an area of land with a high mineral potential or prospectively and is predominantly in a natural state. The purpose of reservation is for mineral exploration and the development of mineral deposits and/or the controlled use of other natural resources, including special species timber harvesting, while protecting and maintaining the natural and cultural values. [1] [28] There are 148 regional reserves covering an area of about 454,000 ha (1,120,000 acres), a majority are IUCN protected area category IV. [11] [10] [18]

IUCN III

IUCN IV

IUCN V

IUCN VI

State reserves

An area of land which provides protection and maintenance for significant natural landscapes, features, or sites of significance to Aboriginal people. [1] [28] There are 65 state reserves covering an area of about 47,000 ha (120,000 acres). Most are IUCN protected area category II or III. [11] [10] [18]

IUCN Ia

IUCN II

IUCN III

See also

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Australia</span> Protected areas in Australia

Protected areas of Australia include Commonwealth and off-shore protected areas managed by the Australian government, as well as protected areas within each of the six states of Australia and two self-governing territories, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, which are managed by the eight state and territory governments.

The Protected areas of New South Wales include both terrestrial and marine protected areas. As of June 2020 there are 225 national parks in New South Wales.

Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. It contains around 500 separate protected areas. In 2020, it was estimated a total of 14.2 million hectares or 8.25% of Queensland's landmass was protected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of South Australia</span> Areas protected by legislation in South Australia

Protected areas of South Australia consists of protected areas located within South Australia and its immediate onshore waters and which are managed by South Australian Government agencies. As of March 2018, South Australia contains 359 separate protected areas declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, the Crown Land Management Act 2009 and the Wilderness Protection Act 1992 which have a total land area of 211,387.48 km2 (81,617.16 sq mi) or 21.5% of the state's area.

Councils of Tasmania are the 29 administrative districts of the Australian state of Tasmania. Local government areas (LGAs), more generally known as councils, are the tier of government responsible for the management of local duties such as road maintenance, town planning and waste management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Derwent (Tasmania)</span> River in south east Tasmania, Australia

The River Derwent is a river located in Tasmania, Australia. It is also known by the palawa kani name timtumili minanya. The river rises in the state's Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, and descends more than 700 metres (2,300 ft) over a distance of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi), flowing through Hobart, the state's capital city, before emptying into Storm Bay and flowing into the Tasman Sea. The banks of the Derwent were once covered by forests and occupied by Aboriginal Tasmanians. European settlers farmed the area and during the 20th century many dams were built on its tributaries for the generation of hydro-electricity.

Kingborough Council is a local government body in Tasmania, and one of the five municipalities that constitutes the Greater Hobart Area. Kingborough is classified as an urban local government area and has a population of 37,734, it covers the transition from the southern urban areas of Hobart through Kingston, as well as encompassing Bruny Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Island</span> Island off the eastern Tasmanian coast

Maria Island or 'wukaluwikiwayna' in [palawa kani) is a mountainous island located in the Tasman Sea, off the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. The 115.5-square-kilometre (44.6 sq mi) island is contained within the Maria Island National Park, which includes a marine area of 18.78 square kilometres (7.25 sq mi) off the island's northwest coast. The island is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) in length from north to south and, at its widest, is about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) west to east. At its closest point, Point Lesueur, the island lies approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) off the east coast of Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarkine</span> Region in Tasmania, Australia

The Tarkine, officially takayna / Tarkine, is an area containing the Savage River National Park in the north west Tasmania, Australia, which contains significant areas of wilderness. The Tarkine is noted for its beauty and natural values, containing the largest area of Gondwanan cool-temperate rainforest in Australia, as well as for its prominence in Tasmania's early mining history. The area's high concentration of Aboriginal sites has led to it being described by the Australian Heritage Council as "one of the world's great archaeological regions".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Plateau Conservation Area</span> Protected area in Tasmania, Australia

Central Plateau Conservation Area is an animal and plant conservation area in Tasmania, Australia. It is adjacent to the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service</span> Government body of Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is the government body responsible for protected areas of Tasmania on public land, such as national parks, historic sites and regional reserves. Historically it has also had responsibility for managing wildlife, including game.

Bathurst Harbour is a shallow bay located in the south west region of Tasmania, Australia. Bathurst Harbour is contained within the Port Davey/Bathurst Harbour Marine Nature Reserve, and the Southwest National Park, part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lavinia State Reserve</span> Protected area & Ramsar site in Australia

Lavinia State Reserve, formerly Lavinia Nature Reserve, is a 68 km2 protected area on King Island, lying at the western end of Bass Strait and belonging to the Australian state of Tasmania.

Mount Dutton Bay Conservation Park is a protected area in the Australian state of South Australia located on the west coast of Eyre Peninsula on islands located on waters in the sector between the north west to the east of the town of Coffin Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Table Cape</span> Place in Tasmania, Australia

Table Cape is a extinct volcano located near Wynyard on the North West of Tasmania, Australia, it is also the name of the locality which encompasses the geological feature. Table Cape is a more or less circular extinct volcano with a flat top, its northern and eastern faces rise steeply from Bass Strait to a height of approximately 170 metres (560 ft) above sea level. It was named by British navigator, Matthew Flinders, as he and George Bass circumnavigated Van Diemen's Land in 1798 upon the Norfolk. Flinders also progressively named the nearby Circular Head, Three Hummock and Hunter Islands.

Ramco Point Conservation Park is a protected area located in the Australian state of South Australia in the locality of Sunlands about 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north-west of the municipal seat of Waikerie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasmanian temperate forests</span> Ecoregion in Tasmania, Australia

The Tasmanian temperate forests is a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion in Australia. The ecoregion occupies the eastern portion of the island of Tasmania, which lies south of the Australian mainland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private protected areas in Australia</span>

In 2010, Australia formulated a strategy for conserving land under the National Reserve System, which would be "a national network of public, Indigenous and private protected areas over land and inland water". States, territories and the commonwealth have enacted legislation to create and protect private lands "in perpetuity". Additionally, they have created mechanisms to fund the conservation of biodiversity in the shorter term. See for example, The Two Rivers Catchment Reserve.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Nature Conservation Act 2002". www.austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Reserve Listing: National Parks and Reserves declared under the Nature Conservation Act 2002". www.parks.tas.gov.au. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Crown Land Frequently Asked Questions". parks.tas.gov.au. Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "National Parks and Reserves Management Act 2002". austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Interactive Map Layer Definitions: Permanent Timber Production Zone Land Key". forestrytas.com.au. Forestry Tasmania . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  6. 1 2 "RTI 16-17-24" (PDF). stategrowth.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 "Rebuilding Tasmania's Forest Industry". stategrowth.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Wellington Park FAQ". wellingtonpark.org.au. Wellington Park Management Trust. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Wellington Park Act 1993". www.austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Tasmanian Reserve Estate Spatial Layer 2016". dpipwe.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Reserve Summary Report (Nature Conservation Act 2002) [list of TPWS-managed reserves]". parks.tas.gov.au. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserves Network". environment.gov.au. Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy . Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Marine Reserves". parks.tas.gov.au. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Marine Reserves". dpipwe.gov.au. Government of Tasmania . Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  15. ↑ "Private Land Conservation Program: Conservation Covenants". dpipwe.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  16. ↑ "What is a conservation covenant?". environment.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia . Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  17. ↑ "The Running Postman Issue 22" (PDF). dpipwe.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania. December 2016. p. 12. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "CAPAD 2014". environment.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  19. ↑ "Wellington Park Management". wellingtonpark.org.au. Wellington Park Management Trust. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  20. 1 2 Gale, Fred (8 May 2013). "Tasmanian Forests Agreement: deeply flawed, worth backing". The Conversation (Australia). The Conversation Media Group Ltd . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  21. 1 2 Ikin, Sam; Nightingale, Tom (3 September 2014). "Tasmania repeals the forestry peace deal between conservationists and loggers, opening up 400,000 hectares". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  22. ↑ Walker, Tim; Compton, Leon (30 May 2014). "Six years is a long time in Tasmania's forests". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  23. ↑ Richards, Blair (24 April 2015). "Forestry Tasmania faces battle for FSC certification". themercury.com.au. News Corp Australia . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  24. ↑ Coulter, Ellen (1 March 2016). "Forestry Tasmania fails to gain crucial certification to aid overseas marketing". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Forestry (Rebuilding the Forest Industry) Act 2014". austlii.edu.au. Australasian Legal Information Institute. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  26. ↑ Warman, Russell (29 August 2014). "End of Tasmania's forest peace deal heralds more uncertainty". theconversation.com (Australia). The Conversation Media Group Ltd . Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "Visiting Our Forests". forestrytas.com.au. Forestry Tasmania. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Background Notes 1c Tasmania's protected places". parks.tas.gov.au. Government of Tasmania. 18 September 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2017.

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