The untold story of naming KosciuszkoJohn Anderson has written a book of the 1840 expedition to the Australian Alps and in it explains where Mount Kosciuszko go its name.
Feral horses create divisivenessIn NSW, feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park are splitting communities. It's unfortunate that science is ignored.
How long will paper maps be needed?With GPS, Google maps and the like, paper maps are not used by many people now. However, there's still a place for paper maps.
Orroral Valley fire enquiryA January 2020 bushfire that destroyed 80 per cent of Namadgi National Park was started by a Defence helicopter. A coronial inquiry will focus on the 45 minutes between when the blaze started and emergency services being informed of its location.
Invasive species have cost Australia $390 billion in 60 yearsThe $390 billion figure is probably an underestimation. Professor Corey Bradshaw from Flinders University said, "Because it's really difficult to put monetary costs on things like ecological function, or even bushfire risk."
Arthur-Pieman 4WD tracks in Tasmania stay closed for goodEight years ago three 4WD tracks were closed for vehicles by Labor-Green government. Although the Liberals fought against it for eight years, the tracks remain closed for vehicles for good, saving the Aboriginal heritage.
Poison baits in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage AreaThe NSW government says that baiting is necessary to protect vulnerable native animals, but concerns have been raised by the local mayor and a scientist who specialises in dingoes.
Tree plan well short of targetThe federal government September 2018 plan to increase timber plantations by one billion trees over a decade is not happening - less than 1 per cent of that goal has been planted.
National park developmentsWild places are disappearing as developments continue to encroach with private huts, unsympathetic track upgrades, and poor infrastructure. In some cases the economic basis is very flawed or non-existent. This article gives a reasonably balanced assessment.
Lake Malbena appeal upheldIn September, the full bench of the Supreme Court case regarding proposed helicopter-accessed visitor accommodation at Lake Malbena in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area was handed down. The ruling is in favour of conservation, setting aside both the outcome of the initial appeal to the Supreme Court and the original decision of the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal to grant a permit for the proposal.
Falls to Hotham walk proceedingParks Victoria has announced a further step in the Falls Creek to Mount Hotham walk. Amazingly, the same contractor that was used before, McGregor Coxall, will be used. McGregor Coxall was justifiably strongly criticised for a poor standard in their reports - making up information, no research, and extremely flawed conclusions.
Bushwalk
