Tasmanian Government delivers record investment into parks and reserves to boost tourism

The Tasmanian Government has advised that it is delivering the largest ever investment into their national parks and reserves to help future-proof tourism in regional areas and help the State’s economy recover from COVID-19.

Tasmanian Minister for Environment and Parks, Roger Jaensch explains “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 investment includes $16 million in popular experiences as part of Tasmania’s Improved Statewide Visitor Infrastructure program, and $8 million to future-proof and maintain infrastructure around the state.

Minister Jaensch  added “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.

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.”

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.

Image of Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre courtesy of Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein/Facebook