2017 Year

A Review of the 2017 Year

Written by Adrian Blackman

The Friends of Mount Field had another successful year during 2017. Significant funds were obtained by applying for grants and receiving donations, totalling almost $56,000. This money was used to provide materials and logistical support for several well-defined projects. Two such projects from last year were successfully completed, two new projects were initiated and completed during the year and two projects were further developed. Time was also devoted to more routine and ongoing tasks such as track maintenance. In total, 20 days were spent doing these field activities and this equated to 788 man-hours of work. In addition, an estimated 200 hours were devoted to administrative tasks including those mandated by occupation and safety requirements together with documentation, preparing and servicing grant applications, and publicity.

Perhaps the highlight of the year involved the design and installation of signs on Wombat Moor. The signs give illustrations and information about local plants; there is also a panorama sign with a photo showing names of some of the nearby topographical features. These colourful and durable signs are located so that they can be easily read from the boardwalk to the Woodland Mosaic. This boardwalk provides a short and easy walk and is readily accessible from the main Lake Dobson Road. It is heavily used by the general public, not just bushwalkers. Of all the projects this year this is the one that will impact on most people. Funds for the project were provided by Wildcare. (The boardwalk was an earlier construction project that the Friends of Mount Field helped with.)

An ongoing project that was completed during the year was the construction of a boardwalk at the start of the Mt Field East track near Lake Fenton and the associated new bridge over Lady Barron Creek. This work was funded from a Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife grant. Another successfully finished project was the repair of two historic huts. One hut is situated near Lake Belcher and the other is the K Col Petersen Memorial Hut. With altitudes of about 900 and 1200 metres respectively the huts provided valuable protection, particularly in inclement weather. The Tasmanian Community Fund provided a grant to purchase materials, notably building timber and paint, and to pay for its helicopter transport.

The path to Russell Falls has recently been upgraded to allow easier access. Some of the area near the Visitor Centre sustained construction damage. A short project, started and completed during the year, consisted of rehabilitating both sides of the track by planting trees which grow naturally in the area. In addition, a group of incorrectly placed Tree Ferns were repositioned into a more natural looking arrangement. This project was supported by a grant from NRM South. Another project started this year and substantially completed involved designing and placing durable signs that display a map and current location on early parts of the Mount Field East circuit track. Other informational signs were also provided. Funds for this signs project were donated by Wildcare and the Melaleuca Walkers.

Several tracks were improved as part of ongoing maintenance tasks. These include the Marriotts Falls track and Pack track and sections of tracks leading to Seagers Lookout and to Mount Field East, and the track joining Lake Fenton and Lake Webster. The work mostly involved removing encroaching vegetation and placing flat rocks in wet and degraded sections. Assistance was given to children from Westerway Primary School to help them plant trees on the Marriotts Falls track.

Last year a substantial competitive grant was obtained from the Tasmanian Community Fund for an ongoing project to repair the badly damaged Windy Moor by construction of a 900 m boardwalk. This year involved detailed planning and the purchase of materials. The planking to be used has been stained so that its visual impact is lessened. Construction work is due to commence in early 2018 and be completed within two months.