ON THE BRINK?

Government denies failed tourism development on brink of being condemned

THE $6.5 million Eagles Eyrie tourism development near Maydena is on the brink of being condemned, sources say — despite State Government denials.

Sources have told the Mercury the failed attraction near the top of Abbotts Peak in the upper Derwent Valley is about to be closed because of structural integrity issues with the six-year-old building.

The State Government did not properly address a question about the site being condemned when asked by the Mercury. But it confirmed work was being done on the building.

In August last year it was revealed the Government was looking to the private sector to rescue the Eagles Eyrie.

The building, constructed by Forestry Tasmania but now owned by the Parks and Wildlife Service, is being considered as part of a new adventure-based tourist venture.

This week the Mercury asked the Government what the status of the building was and whether members of the public could access it. The Government was also asked if the building was still for sale.

A government spokesman said an expression-of-interest proposal involving Eagles Eyrie — the Maydena Adventure Experience — had progressed to stage two and was being assessed by the office of the Coordinator-General.

“Some longstanding, minor structural issues have been identified and will be addressed by the department,” the spokesman said.

“Progression of the proposal through the EOI process will not be affected.”

Sources say the building has been damaged by water and its foundations have been compromised by freezing conditions where the function centre stands.

Last year, residents were told Parks and Wildlife had considered removing the building with a helicopter to a new location before the plan was scrapped.

When the Eyrie was opened in 2009, Forestry Tasmania said it would revive the struggling Derwent Valley community. The original plan — touted by former premier Paul Lennon and former Forestry Tasmania chief Evan Rolley — was for an $8 million funicular train to take visitors to and from the Eyrie.

That plan was abandoned and the site can only be reached by a narrow former logging road.