The Tourism Master Plan (TMP) for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) is now complete after being informed by extensive consultation with the Tasmanian community and stakeholders.
We know our natural and cultural assets are a driver for our regional economies and we want Tasmania to be the eco-tourism capital of the world, however we understand this must be achieved through culturally sensitive and environmentally sustainable visitation to our national parks, reserves and Crown Lands.
Released today, the TMP achieves this important balance by providing diverse, high quality, environmentally sustainable visitor experiences at the same time as conserving and protecting the cultural and natural heritage and values that underpin the significance of the TWWHA.
The TMP is a subsidiary plan to the statutory Management Plan for the TWWHA and aims to provide additional guidance, context and policy direction for the tourism-related presentation of this extraordinary world heritage landscape.
The TMP recognises the importance of Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s direct involvement in decision making, through initiatives including the establishment of a Cultural Heritage Decision Protocol for the presentation and interpretation of Aboriginal cultural heritage, Aboriginal employment and business opportunities, cultural presentation hubs and cultural heritage awareness training to continue the emphasis on the management and acknowledgment of Aboriginal cultural landscapes and values established through the TWWHA Management Plan.
Other key priorities are reviewing the use of aircraft across the entire TWWHA, including the development of an Air Access Policy, which will outline appropriate flight frequency, flight paths, routes and no-fly areas.
As well, Mt Field National Park is identified in the TMP as an area where a primary ‘activity’ node should be developed to cater for increased visitation, while also protecting the environment. The preparation of a master plan for the area will be critical to this and the Government committed $1.8 million during the election to undertake those planning works as well as for the construction of a new arrival apron and bus and car parking facilities.
I would like to thank all those who provided feedback, in particular the Aboriginal Heritage Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council, the tourism industry and other recreational users of the TWWHA who were directly engaged and consulted on the TMP.
Tasmania hosts an unrivalled natural environment, premium experiences, world-class produce and an unbeatable way of life and we are committed to supporting sensitive and environmentally sustainable tourism to strike the right balance so we can share the almost one quarter of Tasmania in the TWWHA sustainably with visitors, but also ensure this treasured environment is protected and sustained for Tasmanians and future generations to continue to enjoy.
To view the TMP visit: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/tasmanian-wilderness-world-heritage-area-(twwha)/twwha-tourism-master-plan