This unique 100-hectare forested property provides an unmissable opportunity to surround yourself with bush, whilst only a 5-minute walk to the beautiful Georges Bay. Explore numerous walking and bike tracks that link to nearby St Helens township (just 3.5km away), and St Helens Mountain Bike Park, or explore the world class beaches, inlets and surf breaks of Binalong Bay and St Helens Point – just a 20 minute drive.
All of this and just under a two-hour journey to Launceston.
CONSERVATION VALUES
Marked by low sandy hills, seasonal drainage lines that flow into Georges Bay, as well as significant wetland and estuarine habitats, this relatively flat property rises gently to an elevation of 50 metres above sea level.
The property is covered by native vegetation, with the dominant community being ironbark (Eucalyptus sieberi) forest. In the eastern section, other vegetation types include threatened vegetation communities; black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) woodland in the low-lying areas, and coast paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) swamp forest around creeks and wetlands.
The western portion, intersected by the Tasman Highway, features a gully that protects Boggy Creek, which flows into Georges Bay. This gully is highly diverse, hosting various vegetation types, with tall forests and threatened plant species.
Once approved, the conservation covenant on the property will significantly enhance the already remarkable natural values within the St Helens Point area. This property adds to a large area of conservation land that includes, Boggy Creek Conservation Area and St Helens Conservation Area, managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service, TLC’s Piano Coves Reserve, Diana’s Basin, owned and managed by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation along with multiple private land conservation covenants in the area.
PROTECTING THE CONSERVATION VALUES
To provide permanent protection for the conservation values on the property, an approved covenant will be registered on the land title before finalising the property sale. Areas will be excluded from the covenant to allow for future use and development.
With approval from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the conservation covenant on the property is expected to contain two exclusion areas of 3 hectares each. One area is adjacent to Talbot Street, which will provide easy access and filtered water views for a building site (subject to council approval where required). The other area is accessible from the Tasman Highway.
Outside of the exclusion areas, the covenant allows for essential management activities (eg construction and maintenance of boundary fences) and for appropriate recreational activities (eg walking).
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
The property is located 3.5 km from the community of St Helens and a 2-hr drive from Launceston CBD. It has two access points, via the bitumen and council-maintained Talbot Street, and via the Tasman Highway. Electricity and sewage can be connected due to close proximity to Talbot Street services. The exclusion areas are large enough to allow flexibility around potential building sites and allow for bushfire risk management.
The nearby St Helens township also features many services and amenities including a school, doctor’s surgery, hospital and grocery store.
The public access mountain bike track ‘Town Link’ along Boggy Creek is on the western section, with platforms and bridges providing the ability to experience this area. This portion of the property (< 6 ha) is leased to the Break O’Day Council.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Tasmanian Land Conservancy acknowledges the support provided by the Forest Conservation Fund, administered by the Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Images by Simon Holmes, Big Shed Studios