Snowy 2.0 schemeFormer federal Liberal leader John Hewson has cast serious doubts on the proposed Snowy 2.0 scheme. The NPA has similar views.
Campfires in VictoriaAuthorities found 87 unattended or abandoned campfires in Victoria on the weekend of 14-15 November 2020. It seems that the lifting of stage 4 restrictions led to people going bush.
Malbena updateOn 9 November 2020, Sussan Ley MP, federal Minister for the Environment, said that Wild Drake’s plans to privatise and develop Lake Malbena is a controlled action under EPBC Act. The Statement of reasons are here. Point 79 says:"Having considered the advice in the recommendation brief and the attached material, I found that the impact on the world heritage values of the TWWHA from the use of helicopters is likely to be significant."
The Wilderness Society website has a summary. TNPA has a Statement of Reasons why Malbena proposal is a Controlled Action. The next stages of the process are environmental assessment and approval, similar to what has happened to date but at a federal level.
It would be good if as many people as possible wrote to the Minister thanking her for her decision. It's important to use your own words. Sussan Ley can be contacted at sussan.ley.mp@aph.gov.au After that, be involved in the process, again in your own words.
Bushwalk Australia has discussed Halls Island in the past, the most recent being October 2020.
Falls Creek to Mount Hotham track ugpgradeAs part of an economic recovery plan, the Victorian government has allocated $15 million for the Falls Creek to Mount Hotham track. Details are unavailable as we go to press. While there are sections that need attention, many hope that this is not an attempt to construct a track like the one that was heavily criticised in 2018. It seems that the funding will be for track work and maintenance, not the overdevelopment planned several years ago.
Bogong High Plains regionTony Robinson
Bushwalk
