Tag Archives: Technopark

Walking on an industrial site – posting 5 of 5

Eventually we walked onto the Nyrstar wharf, after sometimes successfully dodging water sprays to keep the dust down. Here I was able to look upstream and enjoy the expanse of the Derwent River, and to recognise the Bowen Bridge and Mount Direction in the distance.

We passed equipment such as the dust measurer shown below.

At the western end I was able to look past the big sheds of the INCAT boat building industry over Prince of Wales Bay and see Technopark perched on top of Dowsing Point.

A view looking across the Derwent River to the inlet where the first European settlers set up camp in 1803 is shown below:

Looking back downstream the river and landscape appeared as follows:

I also enjoyed walking through parts of the large industrial site for the geometric shapes of the structures and for the various vintages of buildings. Most of all, similarly to my feelings about the Hydro Tasmania structures in the upper Derwent Valley and beyond, I admired the pioneering and massive engineering works that created the manmade parts of the site.

I was surprised at the extent of chemical hazards which need good management; associated with the zinc smelting process are dangerous chemicals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. During the walk I learnt a great deal about the attitude of the business towards instituting and maintaining good environmental practices. In addition, I was shown revegetated expanses and different buildings which prioritise care for the environment and make it a reality. Seeing and experiencing all of this was much more than I expected, and I remain immensely grateful for the time and interest given by my excellent host Todd.

In a special showcase at Nyrstar’s Reception, plaques and various awards are clustered together. One example, a National River Prize, was presented by the International River Foundation in 2010 to the Derwent Estuary Program, of which Nyrstar is a founding member. A list of the Australian winners that year can be read here and if you refer to page eight, more information about Nyrstar and the Derwent estuary is available. My photo below includes that framed paper award with another sculptural award sitting in front.

Overall, I was delighted to be able to fill a gap in my walk along the Derwent River, on this private property. I am indebted to friend Clinton for his connections with Nyrstar that helped to make the walk a reality. Especial thanks to my thoughtful host Todd, and to Nyrstar.

Either side of Bowen bridge and Bags on the fence – posting 9 of 9

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Because of the isolation of the track and the distance from the residential areas, I find it difficult to believe that people walk here and bring their dogs on a lead. But what are the tied up plastic bags on the fence if they are not collections of doggy poop. Any ideas? They cannot be lunchbags used by Technopark staff because they are on the outside of Technopark’s most outside fence. Strange. Colourful. Unnecessary additional reminders of man’s encroachment on natural areas.

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 5 of 9

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Once under the Bowen Bridge I could see a track continued in the easterly direction, and skirted around the bottom of Technopark.

100 metres along this track I spotted the only sign of bureaucracy.

I imagined I might surprise a fisherman at the end of the track or detect one who had made his or her way from the track to the water’s edge and was partially hidden by the bush. But I never did. I never saw anyone.

As I continued walking I spotted the township of Risdon across the river.

And then the large industrial plant of Nystar came into view.

Most prominently, the gaping ‘mouths’ of the boat building company INCAT stood across the inlet of the Derwent River (Prince of Wales Bay) from Dowsing Point.

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 2 of 9

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As I left Technopark I had a view of a new aspect of the Derwent River.

The Derwent River flows into Prince of Wales Bay and consists of tiny inlets including one at the bottom of the Dowsing Point hill. I noted there were no opportunities to walk next to the edge in the bay below – either vegetation hung over the water or private jetties and businesses crowded the edge.

During the many vehicular crossings of the Bowen Bridge that I have made, I could never see where it would be possible to climb down and be under the bridge. Nevertheless I felt there must be a way.

I walked along a path from the Australian Army Derwent Barracks on Goodwood Road that leads to and crosses the bridge. The quality of the path is variable and I suspect it is not much used. One cyclist passed me on my walk to the bridge and no-one was around during my return trip.

At the bridge I noticed the large bronze plaque marking the official opening of the bridge – heavily graffitied.

But was there a path to the river below? The absence of signage was not encouraging.

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 1 of 9

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Stage 8 of my walk from the mouth the source of the Derwent River took me under the Bowen Bridge on the eastern shore, and during Stage 10 I walked past the Bridge at Dowsing Point on the western shore after deciding to walk to the mouth on both sides of the river. However, when on the western shore I could not easily see a way to stick by the river edge at Dowsing Point, and since that day promised to be a long one I took the easy option and followed the streets which cut across the Point. I always felt that I hadn’t been quite honest in taking this approach and that I needed to return and be serious about walking the Derwent edge to the extent it was possible.

So return I did, and this series of postings records that visit.

As usual within the Greater Hobart Area, I took a Metro bus which dropped me off one morning within the Technopark precinct at Dowsing Point on the Hobart side of the Bowen Bridge. Technopark is a state government initiative started over 15 years ago with the aim of providing support and encouragement for small businesses and creative individuals with technological related ideas that could be developed into significant money earners for Tasmania’s productive growth. It’s brief has expanded since its inception.

By leaving the bus at the turning circle within Technopark I hoped there might be ways to walk to the river edge and then continue around Dowsing Point. Until I looked around that day, I had not realised this precinct is seriously fenced, including the installation of electric fencing, and there is no exit except through the main fortified entrance gates. In the photo below you can see three layers of fencing, with barbed wire strung up at the top of the closer two fence lines- and the Bowen Bridge across the Derwent River in the distance.

I walked to corners and along the fence lines without finding a gap, a gate or any chance of passing through. I could see the Derwent River and the Bowen Bridge with Mt Direction overlooking both – but I could not reach them from the Technopark site.

So I had no choice except to leave the Technopark and try other options to reach the River. The day displayed a stunning blue sky overhead and a moderate breeze which rattled the long grasses. Mount Wellington was ever present as I walked away from the river.

Before long I passed through the gates and headed away from Technopark with the aim to walk to the Bowen Bridge.

Walking the Derwent River

The ribbon that separates the eastern and western shores of Hobart, Tasmania's capital city

Tag Archives: Technopark

Walking on an industrial site – posting 5 of 5

Either side of Bowen bridge and Bags on the fence – posting 9 of 9

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 5 of 9

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 2 of 9

Either side of Bowen bridge – posting 1 of 9

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