Repair of Fire-damaged National Park Infrastructure

Media release – Roger Jaensch, Minister for Environment and Parks, 12 April 2020

Rehabilitation work to restore fire damaged national park infrastructure

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is taking advantage of the closure of national parks and reserves to undertake vital rehabilitation work on park walks, roads and bridges that were damaged by by recent bushfires.

Tenders will be called during the coming weeks for a range of projects in southern Tasmania where the fires damaged more than 117 kilometres of walking tracks and 119 kilometres of roads, bridges and other PWS assets.

The rehabilitation work will include projects such as clearing and track rebuilding. This work will help generate jobs and economic activity in regional Tasmania and help the tourism industry rebound strongly when the coronavirus emergency has passed.

Along with track rebuilding, gravel, rock, timber, helicopter services and other suppliers will be utilised to complete the works.

The PWS Fire Recovery team will oversee the rehabilitation work to ensure the tracks and walks are safe to use again when our parks and reserves re-open to the public.

We have appreciated the community’s patience as PWS assessed the extensive damage to burnt infrastructure which posed serious safety hazards.

Visitor safety and environmental protection are our priorities and this work will ensure all areas are safe to use before the roads and tracks are re-opened.

Tender opportunities for areas including Mt Anne Track, Lake Judd Track and Clear Hill Road, as well as supply of helicopter services, gravel and treated timber, will be advertised on the Tasmanian Government’s website at www.tenders.tas.gov.au