Ivan Dean, Speeches Index

Thursday 19 October 2006

SPECIAL INTEREST MATTER

LAUNCESTON GORGE

Mr DEAN (Statement ) - Mr President, the Gorge is a significant part of Launceston. In a recent newspaper article the Gorge was described as the north's star attraction. It is 192 hectares in size and less than 1 kilometre from the city centre. The Gorge presents as an opportunity for the development of a world-class tourism experience that enriches and reinforces its unique values and place in the hearts of residents and tourists. Not only is it an iconic tourist destination, the Gorge is a place that is held dear by local and neighbouring residents. The Gorge is the centre of recreation and community activity in Launceston. Locals use the Gorge for weddings, birthday parties or simply for family gatherings.

The Federal Government grant of $850 000 as part of the stronger Tasmanian package in 2001 towards new visitor facilities in 2004 has paved the way for major enhancements in the First Basin. The Basin Cafe is the beginning of a series of improvements aimed at ensuring that the Gorge continues to be the star attraction.
Mr President, the Gorge is recognised by the Launceston City Council as a key mechanism for delivering the Launceston brand and as a catalyst for a planned and concerted effort to develop Launceston's tourism potential. The council has committed $382 000 to the enhancements and so far in 2006-07 there is $305 000 in the budget. The Gorge is one of the top tourist destinations in Tasmania - Salamanca Market, Hobart waterfront, Port Arthur, Mount Wellington and the Gorge.

Mr Harriss - And the AirWalk down the Huon.

Mr DEAN - I cannot become sidetracked, Mr President, because I only have five minutes.

The Gorge is the top destination in the north, exceeding visitor numbers of any single World Heritage area and national park in Tasmania. That is the significance of it. Visitor figures since 2001 indicate that approximately 55 per cent of the total number of visitors to Tasmania visit Launceston. According to the latest visitor survey by Tourism Tasmania almost 200 000 people visit the Gorge and this statistic is for scheduled air and sea visitors only, Mr President, and does not include local or intrastate visitation. Add the local intrastate visitation anecdotally and conservatively at 100 000, the Gorge plays an important role. The Gorge has the capacity to attract visitors to the region and is used as a base to promote other local attractions such as food and wine - and I would have hoped that plenty of that would have been consumed this week by members.

Since the announcement of the Federal funding, council has contracted a team of consultants to complete an interpretive strategy, business plan and conceptual designs. We took the plans to the community, lodged a development application and received only one objection, put in place tenants for the refurbished kiosk - what is now called the Basin Cafe - and awarded a second contract for the second stage of the project - viewing platform, path walkway and associated stairs. The Launceston City Council looks forward to completing the entire project. All the elements - contemporary food and wine, viewing platform, the wow factor, interpretive walkway, new entrance and redeveloped car park - combine to make the First Basin a world-class visitor experience.

The development concept has four key elements: a new arrival point within the existing car park; a pathway linking from there to a viewing platform; an inclinator or travelling platform to assist people with disabilities; and a rejuvenation of the kiosk as the Basin Cafe. The project has been designed to have minimal impact on the Gorge, while providing maximum effect as a dynamic experience for visitors. It means that the visitors will have the wow experience within moments of leaving their cars. From here, their journey into the Gorge is facilitated by the ease of access down to the level where they can engage with the Basin Cafe and from there with relative ease move to Alexandra Bridge and the cliff grounds.

The biggest challenge of the project is completing it in stages. The whole thing does not work unless each of the four elements is complete. The Launceston City Council has therefore put in place a strategy to build our way out of the site, starting with the Basin Cafe refurbishment. Council is now building the viewing platform and associated stairs, to be followed by a walkway, stairs and ramps to the Basin Cafe level. The new entrance and inclinator will follow with the civil works in the car park being the last.

The Federal funding has been used largely for the Basin Cafe refurbishment and the remainder of the grant will be used to complete the viewing platform. Funding to complete the walkway and associated stairs and ramps is expected to be met by council. It is hoped that the State Government will support the council with the inclinator, new entrance and car park redevelopment. I am confident that with a strong business case the State Government will entertain the additional funding. I notice the Treasurer going for his cheque book as I complete my speech.

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