BROKEN NECK

Iconic view gone forever as carpark opens

A WORLD-renowned Tasmanian view appears to have been lost – thanks to the construction of a carpark deemed necessary because of the site’s popularity with tourists.

Locals say the State Government’s makeover of the popular Bruny Island Neck – with a new bitumen road and 24-space carpark, to be opened today, plus fencing and tunnels to protect penguins – has spoiled the iconic view to the west of the Truganini Lookout (pictured).

A MAKEOVER of the popular Bruny Island Neck has sparked concern a world-renowned Tasmanian view has been lost and traffic will be unmanageable.

The long-awaited new lookout will open today after the completion of a new 24space carpark and the sealing of the Neck road.

The Department of State Growth collaborated with the Parks and Wildlife Service to deliver the infrastructure in time for another summer boom.

“With its stunning views, the Neck is one of the most popular locations on Bruny Island and the ongoing upgrades will ensure the island keeps up with tourism demand while increasing road safety for locals, tourists and wildlife,” Government MP Nic Street said.

The upgrade includes fencing and tunnels under the new road to protect little penguins from traffic.

Residents welcomed the sealed road connecting North and South Bruny, but environmentalists said the sweeping ocean views had been trashed.

“The view looking east is fine,” the Tasmanian Conservation Trust’s Peter McGlone said.

“The view looking west is pretty atrocious.”

Mr McGlone said a shuttle bus service should have been considered.

“Similar to Cradle Mountain, it sounds like a really sensible idea where you don’t have the hustle and bustle of trying to park your car and you don’t destroy the experience for everyone as well,” he said.

Work on the site began in July, while a new boardwalk and viewing platforms will be completed next year.

Bruny Island Network convener Bob Graham, an environmental planner for 40 years, said the carpark should have been relocated further to the north of its current site.

“The new carpark has resulted in a significant visual intrusion into the iconic views from the Truganini Lookout,” Mr Graham said.

“The intrusion has been made worse by the fact that the carpark is located further to the south, there is a greater colour contrast with the surroundings, and vegetation around the new facility has not grown back.”

Bruny Island Community Association’s Fran Davis said residents were glad to see the old dirt road gone, but admit- ted the view from the lookout could be different.

“The dirt road was in keeping with the wild look of that area of Bruny but the road was essential,” Ms Davis said.

“Because there’s going to be more cars, it’s obviously going to be more visible.”

Ms Davis said the 60km/h speed limit alongside the carpark should be reduced to 40km/h to ensure visitors and large tourist vehicles were safe.

“I don’t believe the carpark is big enough for last year’s tourism season, let alone this year,” she said.

Award-winning Bruny Island tourism operator Rob Pennicott also welcomed the new work.

“Something had to be done drastically,” he said.

“It was unsafe, it was substandard.

“It’s a great improvement on previous years and the main thing is they’re looking after the penguins.”

But Mr Pennicott also warned about traffic management issues during the summer peak.

“For most of summer the carpark is going to be really full and it’s going to be spilling out way past the carpark,” he said.

“There’s going to have to be some way of monitoring that.”

Tourism Industry Council chief Luke Martin said safety and wildlife protection had to take priority over other considerations.

“It’s a spectacular part of the state, people can still enjoy it,” he said.

“I’m sure it’s not going to be too detrimental.”

Protecting birdlife was a major priority during the redevelopment, with construction taking place outside the penguin and shearwater breeding seasons, and burrows regularly inspected.

Bird Life Tasmania convener Eric Woehler said he was satisfied with the measures taken.

LOVE IT .... OR HATE IT? ... and have your say The new carpark has resulted in a significant visual intrusion into the iconic views from the Truganini Lookout

— Bruny Island Network convener BOB GRAHAM