Pipers River, Tasmania
Encyclopedia
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. It starts on Mount Arthur
Mount Arthur (Tasmania)
Mount Arthur is a mountain in the north of Tasmania. It is north-east of Launceston, near the town of Lilydale. Due to its close proximity to Launceston its summit is home to a large number of radio towers. WayFM , Launceston, and Northern Tasmania's Christian community radio station, have their...
, near Lilydale
Lilydale, Tasmania
Lilydale, originally known as Germantown, is a small town in northern Tasmania, Australia. The town is northeast of Launceston and is a part of the Launceston municipality. It is located near Mount Arthur. At the 2006 census, Lilydale had a population of 288...
. It runs through Hollybank Forest, a tourist attraction, before flowing through the outer reaches of Lilydale
Lilydale, Tasmania
Lilydale, originally known as Germantown, is a small town in northern Tasmania, Australia. The town is northeast of Launceston and is a part of the Launceston municipality. It is located near Mount Arthur. At the 2006 census, Lilydale had a population of 288...
. It then proceeds through to Karoola, Lower Turners Marsh and then Pipers River
Pipers River, Tasmania
Pipers River is a river which flows through northern Tasmania. It starts on Mount Arthur, near Lilydale. It runs through Hollybank Forest, a tourist attraction, before flowing through the outer reaches of Lilydale. It then proceeds through to Karoola, Lower Turners Marsh and then Pipers River town...
town. The river has its mouth at Pipers Heads near the towns of Weymouth
Weymouth, Tasmania
Weymouth is a small township in northern Tasmania, Australia. Located on the Pipers River opposite Bellingham and about 60 km from Launceston. It has a very small permanent population; however, it attracts many visitors during the summer months. Weymouth has a beach, a tennis court and a seasonal...
and Bellingham
Bellingham, Tasmania
Bellingham is a tiny coastal hamlet in Northern Tasmania, situated on the mouth of the Pipers River directly opposite the town of Weymouth. The town is located from Launceston, from Bridport and from George Town...
flowing into Noland Bay
Noland Bay, Tasmania
Noland Bay is a bay in Northern Tasmania, Australia located in Bass Strait. The bay is situated on the mouth of the Pipers River. There are two towns located on the bay: Weymouth and Bellingham....
, Bass Strait
Bass Strait
Bass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
. A number of tributaries flow into the Pipers River including; Pipers Brook at Bellingham
Bellingham, Tasmania
Bellingham is a tiny coastal hamlet in Northern Tasmania, situated on the mouth of the Pipers River directly opposite the town of Weymouth. The town is located from Launceston, from Bridport and from George Town...
, Back Creek at Weymouth
Weymouth, Tasmania
Weymouth is a small township in northern Tasmania, Australia. Located on the Pipers River opposite Bellingham and about 60 km from Launceston. It has a very small permanent population; however, it attracts many visitors during the summer months. Weymouth has a beach, a tennis court and a seasonal...
and Rocky Creek near Lilydale
Lilydale, Tasmania
Lilydale, originally known as Germantown, is a small town in northern Tasmania, Australia. The town is northeast of Launceston and is a part of the Launceston municipality. It is located near Mount Arthur. At the 2006 census, Lilydale had a population of 288...
. The river isn't very tidal except in the immediate area around Weymouth
Weymouth, Tasmania
Weymouth is a small township in northern Tasmania, Australia. Located on the Pipers River opposite Bellingham and about 60 km from Launceston. It has a very small permanent population; however, it attracts many visitors during the summer months. Weymouth has a beach, a tennis court and a seasonal...
.
Gunns Limited has proposed the construction of a pulp mill
Pulp mill
A pulp mill is a manufacturing facility that converts wood chips or other plant fibre source into a thick fibre board which can be shipped to a paper mill for further processing. Pulp can be manufactured using mechanical, semi-chemical or fully chemical methods...
which will require a lot of water. It has been suggested that this could be drawn from a dam to be built across Pipers River. It is estimated that would reduce the rivers flow by one-third. The proposal has been met with strong opposition.