Love it or hate it, Tasmania’s proposed ‘Next Iconic Walk’ through the Tyndall Range has cleared a key federal hurdle, with Canberra ruling that the 31km track will not require further environmental assessment.
A delegate for the federal environment minister determined the project is “not a controlled action” under national environmental laws, effectively allowing it to proceed without additional scrutiny.
The decision comes after sustained pressure from the Tasmanian Greens and a coalition of environmental groups, who had urged federal Environment Minister Murray Watt to intervene and order a more comprehensive review.
Greens parks spokesperson Tabatha Badger has voiced concerns over potential cost overruns, high fees for bushwalkers and the impact on the fragile alpine environment.
She argued the Tyndall Range should be preserved in its current state rather than developed into another premium walking experience, suggesting more cost-effective alternatives exist. The party has also called for the area to be incorporated into the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
West Coast mayor Shane Pitt rejected those claims, accusing the Greens of opposing economic opportunities for the region.
He noted the proposed track lies outside both national park boundaries and the World Heritage Area, traversing a mix of public land where activities such as mining, fishing and 4WDing are already permitted.
Pitt said the development would deliver tangible economic benefits, including an estimated 139 construction jobs and 40 ongoing positions, while attracting around 7,000 walkers annually to Tasmania’s West Coast.
What do you think? Great tourism initiative or a terrible way to treat a pristine wilderness area? Email and tell us.