Windermere Hut Facilities

​​​​Replacement of Windermere Hut, toilet and group platforms 

The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) invited public submissions on the proposed developments at Windermere overnight node, on the Overland Track (OLT). The proposal included replacing the public hut, toilet, and group platform, as well as retaining the ranger’s quarters and rehabilitating the former hut and toilet sites. 

The works will upgrade existing facilities to meet contemporary building and environmental management standards, and accommodate the daily walkers registered on the OLT each day. The OLT is Australia’s premier alpine walk and attracts approximately 10,000 walkers annually. The basic facilities provided on the track are for environmental management purposes and to control walker impacts.  

The proposal is located within the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park and the Tasmanian Wilderness World heritage Area (TWWHA). The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared in accordance with TWWHA Management Plan 2016. The proposed works are also consistent with conservation, planning and development legislation, and implements polices and standards to reduce negative environmental impacts. 

Project Stages

		Stage 1 - Draft Environmental I​mpact Statement (EIS) and supporting documents accepted as suitable for public consultation.
	​​​​	​Stage 2 - Public consultation process advertised in three regional papers. Draft EIS and supporting documents available on the ‘Have your say’ page of PWS website.​
		Stage 3 - The period for making public submissions closed. Final EIS and Submission Report prepared by proponent, addressing comments received during the public consultation process.
		Stage 4 - Assessment of the final EIS completed and PWS prepares an Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) including the submission report and public submissions.
		Stage 5 - Final EIS, EAR, statement of reasons and public submissions published on the PWS website​ EIA page.