Cash splash wins praise
EXTRA funds to build new visitor infrastructure at Cradle Mountain have been welcomed by key tourism industry figures as a sign the State Government is committed to the revitalisation plan.
The project has been given a $6.8 million boost in this year’s Budget to take the total spend to more than $21 million, with work due to start at the end of this year.
The State Government said it realised the $15 million it had already put aside was not enough as design work progressed.
“There is no doubt this is a big and important project,” Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said.
“The key Tasmanian stakeholders are behind it 110 per cent. We now need the Federal Government and the private sector to do their part.”
The Cradle Coast Authority, which represents nine councils, said the Cradle Mountain funding would help as work continued to address long-term transportation and accommodation issues.
In total, $37 million more will be injected into Tasmania’s tourism sector — labelled the “shining light of Tasmania’s economy” by Treasurer Peter Gutwein — to build on the rapid growth recorded over the past few years.
The Budget’s focus ticks off four of the six goals listed by the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia to capitalise on domestic and international tourism growth in Tasmania.
Tourism Tasmania says the $11 million spend on marketing will be invested in domestic and international programs to stimulate demand.
Tourism contributes $2.5 billion to the state economy, 9.9 per cent of gross state product.
Almost $2 million has been allocated to restore the Darlington site on Maria Island. The Government has already committed $200,000 over five years for a new passenger and freight service to Maria.
More money — $8 million — will be poured into Tasmania’s national parks over the next two years to improve infrastructure and almost $12 million will be spent repairing roads and other parks infrastructure damaged in last year’s floods.
The Government’s Cycling and Tourism Strategy is due to be released next financial year and $6 million has been set aside in this year’s Budget for new and existing mountain biking trails and events, such as the recent Enduro competition at Derby. This includes $1 million for the development of the St Helens Mountain Bike Trail Network.
The Government has already announced it will spend $3.2 million to turn Drysdale into a Centre of Excellence for tourism and hospitality workers and $1.7 million to progress its strategy to better understand what visitors want and what infrastructure is needed.
Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone said the Government’s ongoing funding of the Tourism Infrastructure in Parks Program, money to improve the Darlington Convict World Heritage site and the boost to the Cradle Mountain were all positive initiatives.
“However, this Budget continues this Government’s focus on visitor infrastructure and iconic parks rather than increasing Parks and Wildlife Service staffing levels to improve management of all reserves for their natural and cultural values as well as for tourism,” Mr McGlone said.