Kentish Council approves $160 million Cradle Mountain revamp
CRADLE Mountain could become the “Mona of the state’s north” after work on a $160 million upgrade was approved unanimously by the Kentish Council.
Tasmania
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CRADLE Mountain could become the “Mona of the state’s north” after work on a $160 million upgrade was approved unanimously by the Kentish Council.
The council has given the green light to a $21 million first stage of the revamp, which includes a new visitor centre, bus terminal and village hub.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin welcomed the approval and said he expected the decision would give confidence to the private tourism sector.
“It’s the first really tangible step we think towards to a vision to make Cradle Mountain certainly Australia’s best national park experience if not one of the world’s best national park experiences,” Mr Martin said.
“It’s replacing what’s pretty appalling infrastructure outside the park now, I just can’t see how anyone could be negative about it.”
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Mr Martin said the tourism industry was particularly keen to see the next stage of the upgrades approved for new facilities at Dove Lake, inside the National Park.
An application for that stage of the development is expected in coming months.
Kentish Mayor Don Thwaites said he was pleased the council had unanimously supported the application.
“I think that sends a message to the community that we’re pro this sort of development,” he said.
“The development is the No. 1 priority of the whole Cradle Coast councils, so we speak united.”
Cr Thwaites said the council had considered a representation made by the Tasmanian National Parks Association, including concerns about reflectivity of the glass and the visibility of buildings from inside the World Heritage Area.
“[The facilities] desperately need replacement, and that will be to the benefit of all,” Cr Thwaites said.
Planning Minister Peter Gutwein said the Cradle Mountain revamp would be a “game-changer”.
“I think that it can be the Mona of the north. I’m very pleased,” Mr Gutwein said.
“It was a unanimous decision which demonstrates very much the strong support that community has for that project.
“[It] will be brought up to a standard that’s expected of what is a pristine and beautiful area.”
Work is expected to begin at the end of the year and be completed by early 2019.
The Tasmanian National Parks Association was contacted for comment.
– with AAP
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