Tasmania’s much-loved national parks attract visitors from all over the world, and the Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to strategic investment to ensure they reach their full tourism potential.
I am pleased that a Tourism Infrastructure in Parks project to replace the original penguin viewing platform at the Lillico Beach Conservation Area is now under way.
The $150,000 project is being completed by Devonport business AJR Construct, which will inject money into the economy and support local jobs in line with our buy local policy.
The current treated pine platform will be replaced with a modern structure that can better cater for more than 100 visitors on peak season nights.
Overall numbers of people using the viewing platform for a penguin viewing experience have been steadily increasing, to an estimated 7,500 in the past summer season and the slightly larger platform and improved visitor traffic flow will provide an improved experience. The new viewing platform will be higher, which should create increased potential penguin habitat under the structure.
The upgrade will be welcomed by the Wildcare Friends of Lillico Penguins, whose 30 dedicated members are volunteer guides at the site for four hours, seven nights a week for the seven months of the breeding season.