Roger Jaensch,Minister for Environment and Parks
The Tasmanian Government is delivering the largest ever investment in our national parks and reserves that will help future-proof tourism in our regional areas and help our economy as we recover from COVID-19.
We are investing over $80 million across four years on projects right across the state, ensuring our natural assets are protected for generations to come while providing world-class experiences that match the expectations of visitors and locals alike.
This includes $16 million in iconic experiences as part of our Improved Statewide Visitor Infrastructure program, and $8 million to future-proof and maintain infrastructure around the state.
Today I visited the Mt Nelson Signal Station, which has benefitted from a major landscaping project that included the creation of a new accessible pathway and car parking and the installation of two new telescopes for visitors – complementing the semaphore flagpole which was completed last year.
The $376,000 project, completed over two years, also included the creation of a new lookout area with seating off the carpark which offers a great viewing field for those who do not wish to venture down to the historic Signal Station.
Other recently completed projects include:
- Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre
- Waterfall Valley Hut, Overland Track
- Macquarie Heads jetty
- Highfield House
- The Nut State Reserve visitor infrastructure
- Julius River Regional Reserve and Milkshake Hills tracks, lookout and facilities
- Sarah Island walking track and interpretation
- Ben Lomond car park and public facilities
- Strahan Customs House and Bond Store restoration
- Seal Rocks, King Island – viewing platform
- Walls of Jerusalem Car Park and Toilet
- Encampment Cove and French's Farm toilets – Maria Island
- Barge landing and jetty piling – Maria Island
- Mt Mawson Day Shelter
Our national parks and reserves make a huge contribution to the Tasmanian economy, particularly in regional areas, and projects like these are exactly what our economy and tourism sector needs as we continue to recover from COVID-19 into the future.
