Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts
The Arts
Tasmania is unique, innovative and creative. There is no doubt that our identity is both shaped and enriched by our arts and cultural sector.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to our State being an island where innovation and creativity are highly valued. We have made record investments in arts and culture, announcing an historic 20% increase in recurrent funding for Arts Tasmania in the 2007-2008 Budget. This funding will provide much needed additional support for individual artists and many of our much-loved arts companies and organisations.
The Tasmanian Government is currently working closely with the arts community to develop an exciting new vision for the future to strengthen the vitality of our arts sector. This vision - An Island Inspired - will strive to recognise the significant contribution the arts makes to communities right across the state and will contain a number of goals and initiatives. This will enable the State to develop an even more dynamic and diverse cultural scene.
Environment, Heritage, Parks and Wildlife
The Tasmanian Government is striving to ensure that our many natural attributes continue to be protected and enhanced. With the cleanest air and water in the world, Tasmania’s natural environment is world renowned. Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage is amongst the oldest in the world and this along with our majestic wilderness, sweeping and often rugged coastlines and our many historic buildings and structures are some of the things that make our State a great place to live and to visit.
Locals and tourists alike are increasingly visiting our beautiful national parks and reserves, which are a hallmark of the Tasmanian experience and a true showcase of our beautiful natural environment. The Tasmanian Government aspires to continue to enhance our many parks and reserves through significant additional funding provided in the 2007-08 State Budget. This will ensure that the infrastructure that enables us to enjoy our natural assets is of the highest possible quality.
The Tasmanian Government continues to provide a number of programs to protect our environment, and provide incentives to encourage businesses and community members to do the same. A whole of government sustainability policy is currently being developed to ensure we lead by example by reducing the Government’s environmental footprint.
We also aspire to ensure that our historic cultural heritage, both Aboriginal and European, continues to be adequately protected. Work is currently underway to redevelop legislation in both these areas.
