Ms BADGER question to MINISTER for PARKS, Mr DUIGAN
Parks have open public the public comment period on the proposed Tyndall Hut walk. That’s despite there being hundreds of pages of documents to read for the public to make comment on, but there’s only four weeks to do so. Other far less contentious projects that have also been simpler have had six weeks. The 2021 feasibility study that Tasmanians are being asked to make comment on is actually not present for the proposal that is before them. It doesn’t include the track changes, the additional huts that are being built, changed market demand for such walking products, and nowhere have you considered inflation from the outdated $40 million price tag. Will you extend the public comment period to a fair six‑week timeframe and what is the new estimated price tag for the walk that is actually being proposed?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question and ongoing interest in Tasmania’s outstanding walking products. I would say that it is one of our great offerings and has continued to be promoted, whether it be those back-country walks that I know the member is very fond of, or some of our overnight walks which are renowned, not just here in the state or nationally, but around the world.
We have the Overland Track and the Three Capes Track, and we know that the visitors who come to Tasmania to participate in those walks are the sorts of visitors we want to attract. They stay here for a long period of time before and after the walk. We know those walks sell out in a very short space of time and we would expect the next iconic walk on the west coast of Tasmania to have a similar impact, but a really profound impact on the west coast and our regional economies in that area. I know there is a great deal of excitement on the west coast as we approach the next iconic walk and the build and delivery of that process.
As I say, 93 per cent of Three Capes Track walkers surveyed say they would come back and do a similar style of walk in Tasmania if there were the opportunity to do so. I know there has recently been some further alignment of the camping aspect of the walk to make that align with the hut stay aspect of the walk so that both walking groups in that space get the same type of experience.
Over 50 routes were considered, and I know the Greens had a proposal in that space for what I believe was a 10‑day walk in the Tyndall range but we have settled on our three‑day walk. In terms of consultation, over 1900 people were consulted in our survey during the feasibility study stage of the project and an additional 2210 people were surveyed in October 2024 to test various aspects of the concept design that had been redefined since the feasibility study.
In response to feedback from the public and following more detailed market research, PWS made a number of changes to the plans, as I mentioned, and these were made public during 2024. There was consultation on the changes to design, the public consultation sessions were clear and we’ve listened and acted.
The SPEAKER – The honourable minister’s time has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Ms BADGER – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Ms BADGER – Just back to the original question – other far simpler projects have had a four‑week public comment period. Will you extend this one for a fairer six weeks for the thousands of pages of documents? I note in the minister’s own words that the project has been refined since the feasibility study, so what is the cost of the project now that has been refined? I don’t mean the $40 million price tag from 2021. It’s 2025. There is no project that has been immune to inflation in this state since that time, so what is the new cost?
The SPEAKER – Honourable minister, the six weeks and costs due to inflation were part of the original question.
Mr DUIGAN – We have a large, significant budget allocation of $40 million to deliver the next iconic walk and, as I say –
Ms Badger – But how much will it cost? Where’s the extra money going to come from? Are you going to take it out of the Parks budget, minister?
The SPEAKER – Order. The only one who has the call is the minister.
Mr DUIGAN – we are committed to this project and we will continue to deliver it. In terms of the public consultation period, I would be happy to have a look at that and report back to the House.
