Our next event is Sunday, 21 April 2024.

On 7 March 2024 Haldane Reserve stakeholders met at the Pat Murnane Hall in the late afternoon to share views and ideas about community use of the Haldane Reserve. Small table discussions drew people of similar interests together. After a tea break, the groups shared their ideas to a whiteboard wishlist.

From this wishlist, the LVCA’s Haldane Reserve sub-committee will be writing a document to present to Hobart City Council. We will post a draft of this document on this website in the near future for community comment.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Don’t forget the Haldane Bushcare afternoon on 21 April. The event will run from 2 to 4pm behind the Lenah Valley RSL. Come for as long as you can, and it is suggested you wear long sleeves and trousers, as well as a hat and sturdy footwear.

The Haldane Reserve

The Reserve lies in the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, which is significant Country for the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. It is an area adjoining Pottery Creek before the stream is taken underground towards the New Town Rivulet. The waterway is not continuously free flowing, but is a channel descending from the mountain in a shallow valley. The undergrowth is overgrown and does not appear to be maintained.

The area is an attractive shady habitat for native creatures – with families of wallabies and birdlife evident. There is a variety of native plants, shrubs and trees
through the reserve, and areas of grazed lawn. There are also invasive species. The small reserve lies between residential areas.

The area is formally accessed through two paths – one next to the Lenah Valley RSL and one along a trail said to be an old main road from Hobart going north.

Public Amenity in Lenah Valley

The Reserve is used by a limited number of people in the community. It has a peaceful atmosphere. The City of Hobart has intervened to prevent misuse of the Reserve.

The Reserve is located directly across the Lenah Valley Road from the John Turnbull Park, a much-used popular public amenity. There is an enclosed dog park, and an oval area, with outdoor gym and upgraded BBQ facilities. Further along Lenah Valley Road, the City of Hobart and the local community have established a popular attractive walking track along the New Town Rivulet, leading to the main access to the trails of kunanyi / Mount Wellington Park.

The rivulet path includes art and sculpture. There is also a meditative stone maze in the Rangeview Reserve close by Ancanthe Park at the base of these trails.

Attached is a presentation by Dr. Emily Flies relating to Waterway Health and the Haldane Reserve.

This was presented in October 2023 at the Haldane Information Day.

The Haldane Reserve is in the remit of Hobart City Council Parks Department and is within the boundaries of interest of the Lenah Valley Community Association.

The Reserve was named after a parcel of land, of approximately three and a half acres, was gifted to the Hobart Community by Mr Plomley soon after 1939. The donor’s request was that “the native flora be retained”. In the foothills of kunanyi / Mt Wellington, the reserve is an area adjoining Pottery Creek before that stream is taken underground towards the New Town Rivulet.

Lenah Valley was named a suburb of Hobart on 20th March 1948.

The Pat Murnane Hall was built by members of the RSL in 1951 and is a popular community facility.