SUMMER in our valley attracts plenty of visitors, but as autumn is upon us, we brace for an even busier, bustling period of vibrant seasonal excitement. Autumn in the Derwent Valley truly encapsulates all magical aspects of the season, unlike any other region in Tasmania; from the cool misty mornings by the river, the orange and yellow brilliance of poplars and silver birch leaves, to bounties of produce, apples, pears, quinces and late plums.
The annual Tasmanian Autumn Festival series of events, will again be held across the Derwent Valley and the Central Highlands, from April1-31. On Sunday, April 12, the single day extraordinaire Derwent Valley Autumn Festival will be held at the Esplanade, New Norfolk, and this year is set to be busier than the buzzing past few.
Aside from the events and beauty, what also sets the valley apart from other destinations in autumn is our proximity to Mt Field, where many will flock on their annual pilgrimage in late April, early May to admire the turning of the Fagus. Nothofagus Gunnii, or Fagus, is Tasmania’s only deciduous tree, and it is only found hugging the rugged shores of alpine lakes. It is a terribly-kept secret that Mt Field has accessible reaches of this ancient wonder, as it changes colour, sprinkling the usually deep green wilderness with reds, oranges and yellows.
Mt Field is Tasmania’s equal-oldest national park, and is an integral part of the greater Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Are (TWWHA), for its geomorphological, ecological and cultural outstanding universal values.
You’ve likely read recent speculation that private companies are looking at Mt Field as a destination for their next development.
The Greens concur, which is why we asked in Budget estimates last year if the proposed upgrades and new facilities at the Government Huts would be privately operated. Thankfully this was ruled out by the Department Secretary. But while the government’s EOI process, which invites private exclusive developments to claim a slice of protected public land, remains in its current form, then private development at Mt Field, or any national park and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, remains a live possibility.
It shouldn’t be allowed to happen of course – exclusive private developments on public lands undermine the very essence of what makes our national parks so special. One development, outside of protected area boundaries, that would greatly benefit the valley, all year round, is a Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Interpretation Centre. Sharing and celebrating all that makes our TWWHA globally unique, bridging an education gap, telling the stories behind the site’s protection and sharing the challenges of the future in a changing climate.
Tabatha Badger is one of the seven state members for Lyons. New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News invites each Lyons MP to write for the paper on a regular basis.
See more Derwent Valley and Central Highlands news and sport online and read our print edition every second Friday. Subscribe to our free daily news email here.
Opinion: Autumn festivals herald a bustling, bountiful time
SUMMER in our valley attracts plenty of visitors, but as autumn is upon us, we brace for an even busier, bustling period of vibrant seasonal excitement. Autumn in the Derwent Valley truly encapsulates all magical aspects of the season, unlike any other region in Tasmania; from the cool misty mornings by the river, the orange and yellow brilliance of poplars and silver birch leaves, to bounties of produce, apples, pears, quinces and late plums.
The annual Tasmanian Autumn Festival series of events, will again be held across the Derwent Valley and the Central Highlands, from April1-31. On Sunday, April 12, the single day extraordinaire Derwent Valley Autumn Festival will be held at the Esplanade, New Norfolk, and this year is set to be busier than the buzzing past few.
Aside from the events and beauty, what also sets the valley apart from other destinations in autumn is our proximity to Mt Field, where many will flock on their annual pilgrimage in late April, early May to admire the turning of the Fagus. Nothofagus Gunnii, or Fagus, is Tasmania’s only deciduous tree, and it is only found hugging the rugged shores of alpine lakes. It is a terribly-kept secret that Mt Field has accessible reaches of this ancient wonder, as it changes colour, sprinkling the usually deep green wilderness with reds, oranges and yellows.
Mt Field is Tasmania’s equal-oldest national park, and is an integral part of the greater Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Are (TWWHA), for its geomorphological, ecological and cultural outstanding universal values.
You’ve likely read recent speculation that private companies are looking at Mt Field as a destination for their next development.
The Greens concur, which is why we asked in Budget estimates last year if the proposed upgrades and new facilities at the Government Huts would be privately operated. Thankfully this was ruled out by the Department Secretary. But while the government’s EOI process, which invites private exclusive developments to claim a slice of protected public land, remains in its current form, then private development at Mt Field, or any national park and Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, remains a live possibility.
It shouldn’t be allowed to happen of course – exclusive private developments on public lands undermine the very essence of what makes our national parks so special. One development, outside of protected area boundaries, that would greatly benefit the valley, all year round, is a Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Interpretation Centre. Sharing and celebrating all that makes our TWWHA globally unique, bridging an education gap, telling the stories behind the site’s protection and sharing the challenges of the future in a changing climate.
Tabatha Badger is one of the seven state members for Lyons. New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News invites each Lyons MP to write for the paper on a regular basis.
See more Derwent Valley and Central Highlands news and sport online and read our print edition every second Friday. Subscribe to our free daily news email here.
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