ONE of Tasmania’s leading environmental change professors has warned against draining Lake Pedder.
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Last week, Tasmanian Greens environment spokesman Nick McKim called on the government to consider draining the lake, more than four decades after the site was flooded to make way for the construction of dams.
Environment Minister Matthew Groom shot down Mr McKim’s proposal, however, and said Lake Pedder was an important part of the state’s energy scheme.
University of Tasmania’s Professor David Bowman said while draining Lake Pedder was possible, it would further damage the ecosystem.
‘‘It would be incredibly ambitious,’’ he said.
‘‘To create the same scenery as before, it is possible. But trying to restore ecology? You have to be kidding me. It’s not going to happen.’’
Professor Bowman said while the issue was something for the government to consider, resources would be better spent on more pressing environmental issues.
‘‘The lake can wait. You can restore Lake Pedder today, or you can restore in 20 years, it doesn’t matter.
‘‘It’s a bit like trying to bring back to life extinct animals, like the thylacine, or dead people. It’s science fiction. The reality is we need to put our dollars into trying to preserve our current ecological systems, which are severely under threat.’’
Wilderness Society campaign manager Vica Bayley said a conversation about draining Lake Pedder was worth having.
Mr Bayley said while draining the lake would be ‘‘a supreme undertaking’’, it would ultimately benefit the state.
‘‘Restoring any environment back to its natural state is worthwhile,’’ he said.
‘‘It would right a wrong and bring a lot of people to Tasmania. There are lots of reasons why it’s worth having a conversation about it.’’
However, Mr Bayley acknowledged that draining the lake could also come at a cost to the ecosystem.
‘‘[The lake’s platypus population] is one of the issues that needs to be considered. But it’s an example of how easy it is to lose iconic places and why it’s important to fight for them. Because getting them back once they’re gone is so much harder.’’