Phil,
I lived in tassie (launceston -from the age 8-13? I think ) after moving from Townsville/Brisbane/Charters towers, for 4 years - the cataract gorge and environs was my backyard
it was/is an unbelievably beautiful place. I think it should be put under glass (to quote someone else) and preserved as lungs for the world. A friends and I are seriously thinking of moving to NZ - hopefully before they suffer the same fate.
Cheers
Fringey
Fight the Power!