The Hodgman Liberal Government recognises that Maria Island, with its unique blend of natural, cultural and historic heritage values is an extraordinarily important tourism asset for the east coast region and for Tasmania as a whole.
The Government is determined to do all we can to ensure that Maria Island's full potential is realised.
We have established a small working group to explore the potential opportunities that a new management model for Maria Island could offer – a management model that leverages off the expertise and outstanding success of the Parks and Wildlife Service in managing natural and cultural values as well as the expertise and outstanding success of the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) in managing World Heritage listed convict sites.
The Government remains absolutely committed to conserving, presenting and promoting the World Heritage listed convict site at Darlington, and we want to explore whether the expertise that PAHSMA has in managing other World Heritage listed convict sites in Tasmania can contribute to enhanced outcomes on Maria Island.
Maria Island is one of Tasmania’s great untapped tourism opportunities. We want to unleash its full potential.
While visitation to the island has increased in recent years Maria Island has the capacity for material growth in visitation and this Government is committed to securing the best possible management arrangements for the Island – arrangements that will ensure that the Island’s natural and cultural assets continue to be protected and managed to the current high standards while at the same time looking for opportunities to maximise the world heritage experience afforded by the extraordinary heritage assets at the site including the World Heritage listed Darlington Probation Station convict site.
It is important that the Government and stakeholders carefully consider how maximising conservation and presentation outcomes can best be achieved.
The working group has been charged with responsibility for exploring the idea and developing a potential management model that could then be presented to relevant stakeholders and the broader Tasmanian community for consultation. We want to have an open a dialogue with the community and anyone with a special interest in Maria Island about the opportunities and advantages and any potential concerns an alternative management model might present.
The working group includes representatives from PAHSMA and the Parks and Wildlife Service and is being chaired by the Member for Lyons Guy Barnett.
PAHSMA currently manages the World Heritage listed Port Arthur, Coal Mines and Cascade Female Factory historic convict sites and has received widespread recognition and won a number of tourism awards. We want to explore whether PAHSMA’s obvious expertise in managing other World Heritage listed convict sites in Tasmania can contribute to a new management model for Maria Island.
The Government has no plans to change the status of Maria Island. It’s a national park and it will remain a national park.
Maria Island is a tourism jewel in the crown and the Tasmanian Government is committed to maximising its potential for the benefit of Triabunna and Orford, the East Coast and Tasmania as a whole.
This concept is another demonstration of this Government’s consultative, community-minded approach and being open to ideas.
By being open to new ideas and considering alternative ways of doing things, we are capable of achieving truly great outcomes for Tasmania.
Outcomes that are not only genuinely respectful of Tasmania’s natural, cultural and historic heritage, but that will also create jobs, grow the economy and significantly contribute to our goal of making Tasmanian the environmental tourism capital of the world.
More Media Releases from the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage