Tasmanian walking trail proposal revised

Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) has unveiled the developed designs for their Next Iconic Walk proposal in the state's Tyndall Range. The updates follow feedback from community consultation sessions held throughout 2021-2024.

Starting at Lake Plimsoll, the three-day walking track heads south to Lake Margaret via campgrounds at Lake Huntley and Lake Mary. Designed by Jaws Architecture, the trail's new architecture and infrastructure includes communal huts with shared bunk rooms, private pods and tent platforms for camping at each of the two overnight locations on the hike.

The final designs cater for a maximum of 44 walkers each day, with 12 in two-person pods, 22 in four- to six-person bunk rooms and 10 camping on single- and double-bed tent platforms. Jaws Architects' design also includes a walk departure gateway - a shuttle bus turnaround and small under cover shelter area with amenities for walkers commencing the hike.

In response to community feedback, the PWS note in their media communique that there has "been an extensive number of considerations during the development of the overnight node concepts."

The updates include refinement of the project's sustainability through maximising renewable energy, locating the project near natural water to ensure adequate supply in a bushfire event, capturing fly-out black water, managing grey and storm water on-site, and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements. Further sustainability initiatives include orienting buildings with respect for prevailing winds, bushfire threat and solar gains, and consolidating building footprint and overnight accommodation in two nodes rather than three.

Additionally, the PWS claim that the updated designs have reduced visual impact in their "form, size, scale, location, orientation, colours and consideration of surrounding natural features." The release notes that "improved thermal performance, heating, ventilation, insulation and building health" have been prioritised alongside refinement of the project's "materials, costs and construction method, with a focus on pre-fabrication off-site and fly-in construction."

The designs are set to be included in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is currently being finalised. The EIS will be submitted for public consultation as part of the Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process and the council Development Application (DA) process. The project will also need to be approved by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, which includes a period of public comment and review of the final plans.

View gallery Jaws Architects' design includes a walk departure gateway. Image: Courtesy of the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

The PWS expect these periods of public comment to occur during mid-2025. Construction is anticipated to commence in the summer of 2025-2026 with the trail complete and open to visitors by summer 2028-2029.