The inundation of Lake Pedder in south-west Tasmania stands as a pivotal event in the evolution of environmental awareness throughout Australia. In 1972, the Serpentine River in south-west Tasmania was dammed to develop the Middle Gordon Hydro-electric Power Scheme. As a consequence the tranquil Lake Pedder, with its beautiful rippled pink sand beach, was submerged under 15 metres of water. The fight to save Lake Pedder laid the foundations for the world’s first ‘green’ political party and led to the eventual saving of the Franklin River.
The Lake Pedder Restoration Committee (LPRC), which includes members who fought to save Lake Pedder, has pursued a campaign to restore the Lake over a number of years. The Committee had concluded that the use of written reports, plans and diagrams to explain the relatively complex process of restoring the Lake had significant limitations. Consequently a representative of the LPRC approached Corkery Consulting to discuss how the Lake Pedder restoration proposal might be more effectively presented at a minimal cost to the LPRC, which is a volunteer organisation.
We are pleased to announce that the Lake Pedder – from Inundation to Restoration visualisation has received a 2014 AILA National Award in the category of Research & Communication.