The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on its promise to transform Tasmania into the environmental tourism capital of the world.
I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the recommendations of the Assessment Panel that three exciting eco-tourism proposals, submitted under the Expression of Interest (EOI) process, and will now commence negotiations on appropriate lease and licence arrangements.
Each of the 25 unique proposals which progressed to Stage Two of the EOI process are assessed on timelines agreed to with proponents.
Those timelines vary and further recommendations on the most progressed of the projects are likely to be made to me in the coming weeks. Other projects are more complex and will take more time.
These three proposals will see 19 new jobs created when they are up and running.
Tasmanian Boat Charters will offer a tailored multi-day guided boat charter experience for small groups in the waterways of Tasmania’s south west.
Freycinet Eco Retreat will offer walking tours consisting of day walks from their Eco Retreat location based at Mt Paul to Friendly Beaches and through to Richardsons Beach in Coles Bay.
Trees Adventures aims to establish an eco-tourism trees adventure park at Mount Field National Park. The venture would see visitors offered the opportunity to proceed through a specifically designed and laid out aerial challenges with differing configurations of rope-based obstacles and levels of difficulty.
It’s important to remember a key element of the EOI process is that proposals are able to stand on their own two feet and have to be sustainable from a business perspective without Government assistance.
We welcome these projects moving a step closer to becoming reality and the economic, cultural and tourism benefits they will bring to Tasmania.
The Office of the Coordinator-General continues to engage directly with the remaining proponents who’s proposals have progressed to Stage 2 of the EOI process. The EOI process continues to be positively received by those proponents.
If all 25 projects are fully realised, this will represent investment in the State of over $73 million and the creation of over 300 jobs.
The Net Economic Return to the State is estimated at nearly $30 million per annum, but this is a conservative estimate based on the preliminary business case information presented by the individual proponents.
The Government remains absolutely committed to the proper protection of natural and cultural heritage within our parks and reserves. All projects that are approved through the EOI process will need to comply with the statutory framework in place at the time.
I look forward to receiving the Panel’s further recommendations and following the development of the remaining proposals as they progress through the current round of the EOI process.
Matthew Groom, Minister for State Growth
