The Tasmanian Liberal Government understands that our National Parks and reserves support many tourism and other businesses throughout the state, particularly in our regional areas.
That’s why we laid out a clear plan to build on our successful and strong track record of ensuring that our national parks support our tourism industry and drive our regional economies at the recent 2021 election.
We will invest almost $42 million to future proof our world-renowned National Parks and reserves, through our Parks Powering Regional Economies policy.
This includes:
*$3 million for the re-development of the Hastings Thermal Pool site;
*$3 million package of upgrades to the Cockle Creek campgrounds;
*$1.8 million towards the delivery of a Mt Field National Park Master Plan and a new entry concourse for the National Park;
*$1.7 million into upgrading day use facilities on Bruny Island, road access and parking at the popular Cape Bruny site in the South Bruny National Park;
*$600,000 to deliver Stage 2 of the trail to Horsetail Falls at Queenstown which will add to the short walk offerings in this area;
*$2.75 million for the far North-West, in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area, to re-develop the ‘Edge of the World’ experience;
*$14 million in additional funding to fund the development of a new Visitor Gateway at the Freycinet National Park. The Gateway will include a new, modern transport hub with a shuttle bus to the Wineglass Bay car park, and we will also redesign the road to alleviate congestion on Freycinet Drive, and reduce the impact on residents;
*$6.8 million for Stage 3 of the Maria Island Re-discovered Project, and at the Tasman National Park we will provide $1.5 million to undertake further upgrades of the Remarkable Caves, Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen site – including the installation of a suspension bridge across the Devils Kitchen chasm;
*$900,000 investment into a range of Parks assets on Flinders Island to deliver improvements to infrastructure at Trousers Point beach – as well as campsites and RV facilities;
*$2.8 million to unlock the potential of the Ben Lomond National Park by undertaking crucial planning to guide future development – identifying priority infrastructure crucial in the development of the site, and investing in the highest priority assets;
*$2.8 million to replace the boardwalk at the much-loved Tamar Island Wetland Centre.
Our 2021 election commitments build on the existing pipeline of capital works in our National Parks and Reserves, and take our total investment to over $122 million since 2018.
These investments demonstrate the critical value that we place in our parks and their contribution to the Tasmanian economy and our way of life.
We will continue to ensure that our special natural places are protected and presented in ways that allow all people to enjoy the natural and cultural values they contain.