THE founder of one of Tasmania’s most successful businesses says he knows the trick to boosting tourist numbers.
Don Hazell, who founded construction company Hazell Bros more than 60 years ago, wants to make World Heritage forests more accessible.
Mr Hazell’s radical plan is to build a road from the Huon Valley to Port Davey and Strahan or Queenstown.
The 85-year-old said the development would be a hit with interstate and international tourists, including cashed-up seniors who struggled to access some of Tasmania’s more remote areas.
The former Kingborough mayor contacted the Mercury to outline his idea.
Mr Hazell said the road should be dotted with world-class visitor centres, eco-accommodation facilities and spur roads to take travellers into iconic and picturesque settings.
He said a restaurant, accommodation facilities and tourism activities including boat trips should be established at Port Davey.
Mr Hazell said the project could be built with funding from state and federal governments and private enterprise.
He said it should operate as a toll road, with a hefty fee of up to $200 for each car and strict regulations about waste management to maintain the pristine environment.
“We have to look after the area, but we’ve locked up so much of the state, people like me can’t get into it to enjoy it,” Mr Hazell said.
“We seniors are the ones that can afford to do these things and I’m sure people in general would be willing to pay quite a bit to go out into those areas.
“It needs to be a world-class road, with world-class facilities.”
