3.1.

4-A history of environmental

movements in Australia
FROM THE STUDY DESIGN
Key Knowledge:

• The foundation and role of environmental movements in changing

relationships with outdoor environments, in relation to at least one of the
following:

 L a k e P e d d e r ( Ta s m a n i a )
The Little Desert National Park (Victoria)
 T h e F r a n k l i n R i v e r ( Ta s m a n i a )

Key Skills:

• Describe and analyse the changing relationships with Australian outdoor

environments influenced by historical events and associated key social and
cultural issues
WHAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT?

 A non-government organisation

 Groups who conduct campaigns on environmental issues

 Community based and made up of volunteers

 Aim to change government policy and protect outdoor environments

INTRODUCTION: • This area focuses on a time of real change in attitudes amongst
society and the relationships we have with nature.

Brief history:
 The European settlers showed little early concern for the environment, although there was a
recognition of pollution – particularly in water sources – as an issue. First environmental laws passed.
Growing interest in the biological study of Australia (early 1800’s)
First Non-Indigenous & Increasing Population

 Naturalists become interested in Australian flora and fauna throughout the 19th century. This included
the start of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria- which still exists today.
Increasing Population & Industrialisation

 The first National Parks form in the latter part of the 19th century. Royal National Park in Sydney,
declared in 1879, is the second such place in the world.
Industrialisation

 The rise of recreation in the early 20th century – including skiing, bushwalking, and scouting – gives
Australians a greater connection with natural places and leads to the formation of many protection
and preservation groups.
Farmers and governments recognise that land clearing is one of the key causes of dryland salinity and
erosion.
Nation Building
THE FRANKLIN RIVER
 The Franklin river is a major tributary of the Gordon river system in Tasmania.

 The Franklin Dam was a proposed in 1978 as a part of the Tasmanian Government’s hydro schemes,
following the damming of lake Pedder.

 The Franklin (and Lake Pedder) campaigns are significant moments in Australian history, developing
environmentalism at a national level.
These major campaigns began to influence the way people perceived outdoor environments and the
relationships/ interactions people have with outdoor environments.

 From these campaigns “The Wilderness Society” was formed, which has gone on to become the
largest national community based conservation organisation in Australia.

 The Wilderness Society are today involved in several campaigns, focusing on a range of environmental
issues from: Coal seam gas exploration, oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight, Climate change
awareness, preventing de-forestation and protecting threatened native species.
SIDE NOTE:
 Established in 1976
(originally as the Tasmanian Wilderness Society)

 Not-for-profit, non-government organisation.

 Funding: is provided by members who pay membership and regular donations to support their work.
Other funds come from public fundraising, bequests and donations, and online and retail sales of
campaign merchandise

“TWS is a national, community-based, environmental advocacy organisation whose

purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness and natural processes across
Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on Earth”
THE FRANKLIN RIVER - continued
 Despite overwhelming support for the dam by the people of Tasmania- A vocal few strongly opposed
it.

 The Australian Conservation Foundation and the Tasmanian Wilderness Society began a publicity
program to raise awareness of the environment that was at stake.
This quickly moved from Tasmania to the mainland and then turned into an international campaign.

 It wasn’t until 1984, after many large rallies opposing the dam, blockades of the dam site, the arrest of
over 1000 protesters, a change of federal government and challenge brought forth in the High Court
that construction was halted.

 The victory for the Franklin river and the environment became a template for future campaigns
around the world. It also marked the end of most large scale dam building in Australia.

Watch: “Saving the Franklin” (25min)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1-kuZzhjM
OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENTS
Environmental movements, their campaigns and organisations have helped change and shape the way we
relate to outdoor environments.

 Greater awareness of the need to protect, and the importance of, natural environments

 Recognition of an individual’s ability to affect change

 Rise of tourism and adventure tourism to remote areas

 Mainstreaming environmental issues in society and in politics

See details on these on pg.183 of the text.

Summarise each in your work book.