A Federal Labor Government has a proven record in supporting job-creating growth in the Tasmanian tourism sector.
Tasmania is an increasingly popular destination for international tourists, and was declared the number four destination on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2015.
Tourism directly and indirectly supports around 38,000 jobs in Tasmania or about 16.2 per cent of total Tasmanian employment - the highest percentage in the country.
A 20 per cent increase in overseas tourists to Tasmania in the last 12 months shows that this growth can continue with leadership from government.
Labor investments in major tourism attractions including $12.5 million for the Three Capes Track in 2010 and $6 million to restore the West Coast Wilderness Railway in 2013 have been critical to this growth.
Labor’s $44 million
Tasmania Tourism Infrastructure Fund will see this growth continue and includes:
- $15 million for Cradle Mountain amenities upgrade.
- $1.3 million towards completion of the Burnie Waterfront Masterplan through development of a coastal promenade and shared pathway.
- $4 million for the last stage of the Three Capes Walk.
- $10 million to transform ex-HMAS Tobruk into a dive wreck off Tasmania's north-east coast.
- $2.2 million to construct a shared walking and cycling pathway between Latrobe and Devonport.
- $2 million to construct a public access boardwalk and public facitilites along the Berriedale foreshore.
- $1 million towards the Royal Tasmania Botanical Gardens Revitalisation Project.
The remaining $8.525 million funding will be subject to further announcements.
The latest announcement of $2 million towards the construction of a public access boardwalk and facitilies alongside MONA’s Berriedale accommodation project shows how public investment can work with private investment for the benefit of the community.
This investment will build on MONA’s commitment to the community and the Glenorchy City Council Master Plan to see the waterfront area around MONA and the surrounding bays opened up for locals and visitors.
This new boardwalk will build on the success of the Labor investment in the GASP! Boardwalk along Elwick Bay.
The boardwalk will provide community access for sport, recreation, business and cultural activities.
Labor’s
Tasmania Tourism Infrastructure Fund will deliver jobs and economic benefit compared to the Liberals who have again taken Tasmania for granted.
The Liberals are again playing catch-up, only matching Labor’s funding for the Three Capes Walk nine days out from the election.
Refusing to invest anything in the future of Cradle Mountain shows the Liberals are not interested in supporting tourism in Tasmania.
Only Labor will stand up for Tasmanian jobs and invest in the tourism infrastructure that Tasmania needs.