South West Tasmania


South West Tasmania is a region in Tasmania that has evoked curiosity as to its resources over the duration of European presence on the island.
The more recent is the consideration as a potential area of resources for development and its consideration as World Heritage wilderness.
The most notable controversies occurring in the region in the late twentieth century was the flooding of Lake Pedder and the proposed damming of the Franklin River by the Franklin Dam.

Early Surveys

Most early walks through the region were for discovery, or in the case of Thomas Bather Moore was to establish tracks for access.
In 1927, a walk through the area between Cox Bight and Bathurst Harbour even included the then governor of the state, Sir James O'Grady, and its intention was a search for geological information.

South West Advisory Committee

Members were Sir George B Cartland, G. J. Foot and A. G. Ogilvie.
Submissions were received on its subject area
It made a preliminary report in May 1976, and a final report in August 1978.

South West Tasmania Resources Survey

Following national and international concern over the fate of South West Tasmania, Commonwealth Government funded the survey the States Grants act of 1974. Further funding was provided from the Environment Act of 1977
The South West Tasmania Resources Survey produced 25 Discussion Papers, 22 Working Papers and 20 Occasional papers - including the breakup of the region into river catchments:
Ten years after the South West Resources survey the Australia Heritage Commission published an inventory for the South West