Tasmania receives funding for thermal efficient huts on overland tracks

The Tasmanian Government has welcomed a grant from the Federal Government for two important projects within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) from the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund - the construction of thermal efficient huts at both the Lake Windermere overnight node on the Overland Track and the Kia Ora overnight node.

Following the receipt of the grant funding, the Tasmanian Government is calling for tenders to construct the new thermal efficient hut at the Lake Windermere overnight node on the Overland Track within the TWWHA.

The Windermere Hut will be jointly funded through the Government’s $3 million Improved Statewide Visitor Infrastructure program commitment and the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery funding.

Tasmanian Minister for Environment and Parks, Roger Jaensch advises “we are committed to improving the standard and quality of older huts along the multi-day track, and this project follows the successful completion of the Waterfall Valley hut earlier this year.

“Similar works are planned for the Kia Ora overnight node during 2021/22 and the Federal funding has enabled the Tasmanian Government to move forward with planning, with design of this hut to commence.

“These hut redevelopment projects ensure that we can continue to welcome walkers to this special part of Tasmania while protecting our natural assets for generations to come.”

A total of $4.8 million has been funded for the redevelopment of huts on the Overland Track and improvements to public campsite infrastructure in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

Together with state funding and in-kind support from the Parks and Wildlife Service, this announcement paves the way for additional improvements to important public infrastructure in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

The tender for the new Windermere Hut is available at www.tenders.tas.gov.au, with construction expected to begin early in the new year.

Image of Lake Windermere courtesy of Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service Credit: Andrew Englisch