Residential bushland conservation : a management option for Fern Tree, part of Hobart's urban fringe

This thesis provides direction and guidelines to facilitate the retention of semi-natural bushland close to Hobart for the benefit of those who choose to live in such areas, as well as city dwellers. Fern Tree, the area chosen for study, lies within the belt of bushland at Hobart's urban fringe. The methodology formulated for the study of development opportunities and constraints in Fern Tree required that data be gathered with respect to bio-physical constraints, population characteristics and the administrative setting of existing planning strategies. Integration of this information suggested a preferred development option and a framework for managing Fern Tree as a residential bushland suburb. Action needed to achieve this option requires a new planning strategy for the area. This strategy should be extended to incorporate the planning and management of the entire urban fringe of Hobart, including the Wellington Range of which Fern Tree is a part.