Tabatha Badger MP, Greens Tourism spokesperson and Member for Lyons, 13 March 2025
Greens Table Petition Calling for Swanwick-Coles Bay Track
Today the Greens tabled a petition signed by 414 community members calling for the creation of a safe bike and walking track connecting the burgeoning Swanwick and tourism hot spot Coles Bay.
A similar proposal was first put forward in the Freycinet Master Plan some years ago, and while tourism has grown in the region, along with the general population, the much-needed infrastructure hasn’t progressed.
Providing the community, young families and visitors a safe transit corridor to commute between and to connect the two villages will be an enormous asset and promotes healthy forms of transport, such as cycling.
The Coles Bay road is busy with increasing local and tourist traffic, it is unsafe for cycling and there is a lack of walking options for the community of young families, retired folks and energetic workers.
Locals report that many tourists were enthusiastic to sign the petition as there was great desire for such a bike and walkway from people visiting the region. However, the petition was only open to Tasmanian residents, as per the requirements for a Parliamentary petition.
Freycinet is a globally iconic nature based tourist destination and a safe bike and walking track is an expected piece of essential infrastructure to be in place.
The Greens support the locals’ call for a new track and call on the Government to come to table and progress the project proposed in their own Master Plan.
Media release – Nick Duigan, Minister for Parks, 13 March 2025
Improving the Gateway to Mount Field National Park
Improved access to Mount Field National Park is a step closer, with the designs now out for public consultation.
The Tasmanian Government is addressing site safety and improving parking options for longer vehicles including coaches and motor homes.
Minister for Parks, Nick Duigan, said we’re now delivering on those improvements.
“The Tasmanian Government is investing $2.05 million in a new arrival concourse for the national park. The upgrades will address capacity limitations, delivering better car parking facilities and improve wayfinding to the Visitor Centre,” Minister Duigan said.
“Mount Field is one of Tasmania’s oldest national parks and is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
“Each year, around 200,000 visitors explore what the area has to offer.
“That’s why we are acting now, to deliver much needed improvements to enhance not only the visitor experience but also deliver much needed safety improvements”.
“The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service have undertaken comprehensive options analysis, modelling and cultural and environmental assessment to determine the design for the arrival concourse and carpark improvements.
“We are continuing to invest in our parks and reserves to not only protect the environment but to also manage sustainable visitation recognising that our national parks are a key drawcard for people wanting to visit Tasmania.”
The Mount Field Arrival Concourse draft designs and information about the project are available here.
