The South Coast Track is one of Tasmania’s Great Bushwalks and work began this month on the third year of a four-year, $2 million project to ensure it remains a world class walking experience in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The South Coast Track attracts about 1200 walkers per year. The 87 km track runs between Melaleuca and Cockle Creek.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to further growing our booming tourism industry, especially creating jobs in regional areas, but we also need to balance this with protection of our precious wilderness areas so that they can be sustainably enjoyed into the future.
Works during the past two years have seen significant progress on rehabilitating eroded areas and maintaining or replacing infrastructure along the walk, with clearing of more than 40 kilometers of track, construction of approximately 1450 metres of new boardwalk, replacement of footbridges and the installation of improved toilet facilities at major campsites.
The $250,000 allocated for this year’s works will include the continuation of the toilet improvements at major campsites, ongoing clearing of the track including the South Cape Range area, further priority erosion control works and the completion of boardwalk at Buoy Creek Plains.
We’re already making a significant difference on improving environmental outcomes by halting erosion caused by track braiding on sensitive button grass plains and the installation of new toilets at major campsites. We are also contributing to better outcomes for cultural heritage through a minor track re-route, avoiding a significant Aboriginal heritage site.
While the walk retains all of the challenges of a long-distance, remote wilderness walk, we’ve improved the walker experience with clearing and marking of the track, new footbridges and improved infrastructure and new, better suited boats for the New River Lagoon crossing.
Matthew Groom, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage
