Picnic Island visit by volunteers cuts mirror bush infestation

Island owner says “voluntourism” could save Tasmania’s islands from weed infestations while giving visitors a free bed and unique tourism experience at the same time.

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THE OWNER of a tiny island off the Freycinet Peninsula says voluntourism - where visitors get a free bed in exchange for some work - could save Tasmania’s islands from weed infestation.

Clem Newton-Brown operates Picnic Island and is working to establish a regenerative tourism proposal on Little Dog island in the Furneaux Group.

“One of the biggest issues facing Tasmanian islands is weed infestation,” he said.

“There are several volunteer groups which do work on islands around Tasmania, but the task to get an island under control and then maintained is enormous”

Mr Newton-Brown is working on a proposal for what he calls “voluntourism” - hosting people who are happy to spend part of their stay working on environmental projects in return for free accommodation.

Clem Newton-Brown on Picnic Island. Pic: Annette O’Brien

Recently six volunteers with North Barker Ecosystem Services stayed on Picnic Island to help curtail the spread of mirror bush.

“In 2008 there were just five or six plants of mirror bush on the island. Now there are hundreds of bushes established,” Andrew North said.

“Volunteering is effective at putting manpower on the ground. A team of six was able to remove half the infestation in a single day.”

Picnic Island, Freycinet, Tasmania. Picture: Carmel Boyd

Mr Newton-Brown said there was a definite market for voluntourism.

“There are many people who are looking for a more satisfying travel experience than sitting by a hotel pool,” he said.

“In a regenerative tourism model people can actually contribute to the area and the community they visit.

“The aim is to facilitate tourism experiences where the destination is left in better shape than if there were no visitors.”

He said islands with weed infestations need to be managed.

“It is a flawed strategy to think that locking up an island is the best way to protect it.

“For example on Little Dog Island there is a mirror bush infestation which has tripled in size in 15 years to nearly a hectare. The island will eventually be overrun if nothing is done to reverse the damage.”

Andrew North on Picnic Island

Mr Newton-Brown says Tasmania needs to follow South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria and make mirror bush a declared weed.

“Anyone who visited the remote Bass Strait islands would be shocked to see the extent of the problem,” he said.

Feral cats, possums and weeds have combined to negatively impact on Little Dog island.

“The island was last surveyed 20 years ago and there was a 200-strong penguin colony on the island. Now there is no evidence of penguins at all.”

Mr Newton-Brown’s Little Dog Island proposal is still going through the planning process with Flinders Island Council. It is currently open to community consultation.