AGM commits to intensify the Campaign to Restore Lake Pedder

With Tasmania’s political and energy landscape in flux, Convenor Christine Milne’s top priority for the coming year is to engage new audiences, raise Restore Lake Pedder’s public profile and show the scientific case for restoration. Ms Milne told a packed boardroom at the Bob Brown Foundation’s Hobart offices that the next year provided an opportunity to boost the campaign on several fronts: “Our priorities are clear: Increase membership, strengthen fundraising, raise the public profile of Lake Pedder and continue to develop the scientific and engineering case for restoration.” She said that despite a difficult year marked by limited staff capacity and political engagement plus fundraising challenges, the LPRI management committee, members and volunteers had remained steadfast and stepped up when needed. Importantly, she said, the outlook was now improving. More members from across Australia joined the 2026 AGM online to hear that the campaign would refocus building a more active and visible campaign. Ms Milne said the work to redevelop the Restore Lake Pedder website was well underway, while the film tour – featuring First Descent: Kayaking the Klamath and Pedder – The Fault in Tasmania's Wilderness – would engage new audiences at events in Deloraine, Franklin and Hobart in September and October. She said the campaign held a very successful Bioblitz 2025 in November and a sold-out Padder for Pedder 2026 in April. “Raising the profile of the campaign during 2025–26 has been difficult. The year has been dominated by the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments’ continuing push to maximise renewable energy development, including Marinus Link, associated transmission infrastructure and data centres, regardless of the level of energy demand in Tasmania or the ecological and financial costs to Tasmanians. “It has often been difficult to obtain clear answers about Tasmania’s future energy needs. At the same time, the restoration of Lake Pedder and the decommissioning of dams remain firmly off the political agenda of both the Federal Labor Government and the Tasmanian Liberal Government, as well as the State Labor Opposition. “We are grateful to Greens MP Tabatha Badger for her continuing interrogation of these issues and costs and for maintaining their profile in the Tasmanian Parliament. “The future of Tasmania’s four major industrial energy users is uncertain, yet they currently account for approximately 54 percent of electricity generated in Tasmania. With Temco in administration and Rio Tinto Aluminium seeking further subsidised energy prices, Tasmania has an opportunity to have a much more fundamental discussion about how additional energy could be used for the benefit of Tasmanians. “That discussion should include restoring Lake Pedder. “There is an opportunity to consider whether Tasmania can afford to decommission increasingly unviable dams while maintaining a secure energy supply for Tasmanians. Restoration of Lake Pedder is an obvious and inspiring example of how we could redirect our thinking about energy, infrastructure and the environment.” Ms Milne thanked Committee Members, members and supporters and volunteers for their backing during the year. She paid tribute to campaigner Kat Bourne for her dedication during a difficult year and welcomed new coordinator Nelle Degrassi.