Works to replace the Cassiterite Creek Bridge as well as repair and upgrade shack node roads in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area are complete.
The bridge is now open and will provide ongoing secure access to the historic mining town of Balfour for residents and visitors to the area.
“The new bridge, which was cast in Ulverstone and installed by Hazell Bros, has a 100-year lifespan and its load capacity has increased to modern standards as a result of the works,” Minister for Parks and Environment, Nick Duigan, said.
The replacement also allows continued access by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service staff so they can maintain this area, which holds natural and historical value.
“Additionally, upgrades to improve shack node roads in the Arthur-Pieman region are now complete, including vegetation clearing, new road culverts and re-gravelling, with new safety and advisory signage planned to be installed,” he added. “These works supported the regional economy through the engagement of local contractors including sourcing materials from local quarries.”
The bridge replacement and road maintenance works represent a $900,000 investment from the $10 million Tasmanian Government commitment to support ‘sustainable recreational off-road vehicle opportunities’ in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area, and the wider west coast region.
“The Tasmanian Government acknowledges how special the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area is, containing outstanding natural values and part of the Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape National Heritage Place,” said Duigan. “Ensuring access and maintenance of roads in the region is important to enabling safe and sustainable enjoyment of this area by Tasmanians and visitors.”
Arthur-Pieman Conservation Management Committee Chair, Lochie Avery, welcomed the upgrades.
“As part of our role in representing the local community, we have worked closely with the Tasmania Parks and Wildife Service to support the delivery of improvements to shack node roads, providing safer access for the community to key areas of the APCA,” Avery said.
“It was great to see upgrades to a range of areas, including West Point, Bluff Hill, Aireys Roads, Nelson Bay, Sarah Anne and Couta Rocks.”
For more information on the Off Road Vehicle Project, visit the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service website: Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area and West Coast Off-Road Vehicle Project | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania.
takayna ‘Worthy of Protection’ says BBF
Meanwhile the Bob Brown Foundation says last night’s ABC episode of ‘Back Roads’ “treated us to glimpse of the outstanding beauty of takayna and the audience heard a consistent call for its protection from the people that live and work around it.”
“We thank Marta Dusseldorp and the Back Roads team for taking takayna into the living rooms of Australia,” said Scott Jordan, Bob Brown Foundation Takayna Campaigner.
“Too often the coverage of the campaigns for its protection shows the controversy but fails to highlight the majesty of this amazing place.
“We have one of the world’s great wild places right here but, as we heard from all the locals in the episode, takayna is at risk and must be protected.”
“Politicians and the cheerleaders for the logging and mining industries always try and portray the debate as locals versus conservationists. As we saw last night, the reality is starkly different. Locals love this place. They love the forests, the beaches, the rivers and the wildlife. That’s why every poll in the last two decades has shown over two thirds of Tasmanian want this area protected.”
“I hope our Federal Environment Minister was watching last night and I hope she took a moment to consider delivering the long overdue protection of takayna,” said Jordan.
The episode is available for viewing here: Back Roads: Series 10 Tarkine, TAS : ABC iview.
