The Tasmanian Government has worked closely with the Circular Head community to identify business and job opportunities for the region impacted by the impending closure of Murray Goulburn’s Edith Creek facility.
Today’s release of the Interim Report from the Circular Head Regional Economic Development Working Group has identified expanded tourism through cruise ship visits and also potential salmon farming as opportunities outside the existing dairy and food sectors.
There is the exciting prospect of regular cruise ship visitation to Stanley starting in 2018 and $100,000 has been specifically allocated to develop tourism experiences and enterprises in the region and the jobs they will create.
Additionally, Petuna Aquaculture has received an environmental monitoring permit to explore the potential for Atlantic salmon farming in the Circular Head region.
Salmon farming is one of Tasmania’s growth industries and already supports more than 5200 jobs, mostly in regional Tasmania, and is strictly controlled by the independent Environment Protection Authority.
Petuna Aquaculture has committed to extensive local consultation as part of this preliminary investigation process.
The Tasmanian Government committed $1.5 million to the Working Group when it was established in May and projects worth in excess of $670,000 have already been identified to create jobs and encourage further economic development in the region.
In addition to the $100,000 tourism development program, these include:
The Working Group, chaired by Joan Rylah, comprises local, state and federal government and community and industry representatives.
The Working Group, in its current form, will continue its activities until the end of 2017 and work with the community on developing and funding more new initiatives, and will deliver a final report in February 2018.
The interim report is available on the Department of State Growth website.