Tasmania parliament estimates: Greens’ Cassy O’Connor claims rats are hitching chopper rides

The luxury huts of Tasmania’s Overland Track are attracting a new breed of tourist, with claims rats and mice are hitching rides on helicopters to enjoy a gourmet vacation of their own.

The luxury huts of Tasmania’s Overland Track are attracting a new breed of tourist, with claims rats and mice are hitching rides on helicopters to enjoy a gourmet vacation of their own.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor brandished photos of Overland Track rats during budget estimates committee hearings on Wednesday she had been provided by “horrified patrons”.

“We’ve received multiple reports of vermin — rats and mice — in Tas Walking Company huts on the Overland Track,” she said.

“There’s a lovely furry one there near the top, there’s one helping itself to a bit of a late night feed.

“I’m interested to understand what the Parks Service is doing to ensure that Tas Walking Company is eradicating its vermin problem and complies with its lease.”

Rats inside Tasmanian Walking Company huts on the Overland Track. Supplied.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment secretary Jason Jacobi said he was unaware of the reports.

“I’m not aware of a an exotic or a pest rat issue on that lease, but I am happy to follow that up,” he said.

“The leases held by the Tasmanian Walking Company on the Overland Track are quite old leases. I don’t believe that they include specific clauses around vermin control.

“Without having seen the photos and being able to identify what type of rats they are, is it possible they could be native rats or native mice?”

Rats inside Tasmanian Walking Company huts on the Overland Track. Supplied.

Rats inside Tasmanian Walking Company huts on the Overland Track. Supplied.

Ms O’Connor said she was not convinced the rats and mice had arrived under their own steam.

“We don’t think that they would cross the mountains of Tasmania to access a haven of food-filled huts necessarily on their own hoof,” she said.

“We don’t think they’re probably coming in bushwalker packs either.

“So when you apply your mind to how they might have got into those huts, there’s a strong possibility they’ve come in on helicopters hired by the Tas Walking Company.”

Mr Jacobi said precautions were taken against such incursions by exotic species.

“All of our helicopter operators that provide services to both Parks and Wildlife Service and to commercial operators maintain very strict biosecurity measures. I would be extraordinarily surprised that a rat or a mouse or a pest animal was actually able to make it.”

The Tasmanian Walking Company said the rats were locals, not visitors.

“Rodents have existed in Tasmania’s national parks for as long as we can remember. Any management and control programs are directed by Parks”.