Tasmanian Government
Felix Ellis, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources
Built on several years of collaboration and with input from more than 9000 Tasmanians, the Kunanyi / Mount Wellington Action Plan delivers a new vision for Hobart’s mountain.
Bringing to life the Our Mountain’s Future Vision, this action plan lays the foundations for the management and safeguarding of the mountain and Wellington Park.
Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Felix Ellis, said the action plan is a roadmap for a new era for our Park.
“The action plan carefully balances conservation with opportunity, reflecting the aspirations of the Tasmanian community,” Minister Ellis said.
“Tasmanians of all ages and backgrounds took the time to tell us what Kunanyi / Mount Wellington means to them and the future they’d like to see for the park, and those insights have been integral to shaping this action plan.
“Everyone agrees that ensuring the park is a safe, accessible and sustainable for generations to come is the imperative, this action plan will do just that.”
The Kunanyi / Mount Wellington Action Plan proposes ambitious reforms to the way the park is managed to create the necessary conditions to ensure infrastructure and amenities can meet growing demand while maintaining environmental, aesthetic and cultural values.
The priority is establishing a new independent body to align strategic oversight with operational delivery.
“By establishing a new managing authority we can make sure it has the right powers and functions to manage the mountain effectively and in a strategic and coordinated way,” Minister Ellis said.
“We will put in place this new independent managing authority based on experience and expertise.”
Fire management will also be an immediate priority, with the Government advancing a coordinated, park-wide approach to reducing bushfire risk and strengthening preparedness to protect surrounding communities, visitors, infrastructure and the Park’s natural and cultural values.
Access continued to be a key focus throughout the consultation process.
“Kunanyi / Mount Wellington attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year. That is a lot of people going up and down our mountain and we need that to happen safely and efficiently,” Minister Ellis said.
“This shared plan emphasises how access for locals, visitors, commercial operators and infrastructure and emergency management personnel must be safely and sustainably ensured.
“This plan gives us a clear way forward for the park that sets out our aspirations while protecting what people love.”
The recommendations of the Kunanyi / Mount Wellington Action Plan will be implemented progressively with opportunities for consultation and feedback to be provided at key stages.
/Public Release. View in full here.
