Public Environment Report Tarkine Forest Drive ... - Transport

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The Tarkine Forest Drive project will rectify these deficiencies and provide improvedaccess to the Tarkine Region for all Tasmanians and tourists, allowing visitors toexperience the areas wilderness and heritage values of the region safely andconveniently.Tourism development potentialThe Tarkine Forest Drive will create an impetus for the development of the tourismindustry in the region by leveraging the Tarkine brand to put the North West Regionfirmly on the tourist map. Improved accessibility fits with visitor preferences toexplore destinations which have varied experiences in close proximity and the projecthas the potential to increase the stay of tourists in the region to a number of days.The project will also support existing and proposed ecotourism ventures andexperiences in the Tarkine Region, resulting in the creation of a unique tourism icon.This will be of great benefit to a region that has been hit hard by the downturn in theeconomy, particularly the forestry sector.Sustainable infrastructureThe Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER) will construct theproject in full compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring minimalenvironmental impact and protection of the local flora, fauna and heritage values. Theconstruction location has had a long history of mining, commercial forestry andrecreational activities and no new roads will be required.DIER will implement a structured and disciplined process which establishes bestpractice innovation in sustainable road design and construction where feasible. Thisprocess will define sustainability objectives, set strategies, and establish indicators andmeasurement methodologies to verify that best practice sustainability proceduresrelevant to the project have been applied.The project will include a number of ongoing environmental monitoring programs,management regimes and mitigation actions as part of its design, development andoperation to ensure the highest practicable environmental outcomes.Informed stakeholdersAs part of DIER’s commitment to delivering this important project, communication withkey stakeholders and the broader public have been and will continue to be open,transparent and thorough. This will ensure that the multiple benefits and developmentpotential resulting from this project are presented to stakeholders, together with thepotential environmental impacts and the proposed impact avoidance and mitigationmeasures.1.6.2 BenefitsThe benefits to be delivered through undertaking the proposed Tarkine Forest Driveinclude the following.Tourism improvementsThe Tarkine has been identified in a number of previous studies as providing potentialopportunities upon which to anchor the future of tourism in the North West Region. Anumber of economic studies demonstrate the benefits to the North West. Thesebenefits include:A significant increase in nature based tourism sector in TasmaniaAn increase in visitor numbers and new spendingAn increase in the number of tourism sector jobs in the regionRef: HB09080H001 PER Tarkine Drive 33P Rev 00/DL/CL/jw 4
Extended visitor stays - most visitors are likely to stay extra night(s) to enjoy theforest wilderness and coastal attractions due to new opportunities to stop andenjoy/observe the environmentThe ability to travel in a circuit, avoiding the need to cover the same route twiceThe provision of a low risk travelling environment (i.e. a sealed, speed controlledroad).Other regions will also benefit from promoting new Tasmanian tourist icon – “TheTarkine” – through flow on effects.Economic benefitsA Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) has been developed for the Tarkine Forest Drive and isprovided later in this document. As a minimum, the following benefits are expectedfrom the development of the project:Construction activities will create jobs and boost the economy while underconstructionMost of the direct spending benefit will occur in the North West communitiesbetween Devonport and Arthur River, all of which will provide the accommodation,services and employees required at attractions in and around the TarkineThe increased tourist access and activity are expected to have a significanteconomic spin off.Safety benefitsThe road at present is predominantly used for forest harvesting operations and theroad configuration has evolved to meet the needs of this industry. Aspects of thecurrent road network, particularly signage and intersection configuration, are notappropriate for the anticipated increase in traffic volumes, especially where light andheavy vehicles interact.A benefit of the project will be the installation of road signage and improved roadsurfaces. These measures will greatly improve safety.The road will be designed to provide additional safety benefits, such as the provision ofa consistent sealed pavement for the entire road length.Facilitation of future ecotourism and other developmentThe project is a logical extension and major enhancement of Tasmania’s Great NatureTrail. DIER has been working with Tourism Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania (FT) and otherkey stakeholders to optimise the implementation of the project’s tourism potential.Construction of the Tarkine Forest Drive will facilitate future development in the NorthWest through:Opening up the area to organised toursCreating a loop road to encourage visitors to spend more time in the North WestPromoting existing attractionsAllowing visitors with hire cars to access areas previously off limits due toinsurance restrictions or perceived issues on unsealed roadsDeveloping and improving tourist facilities within the State ForestCreating potential for significant attractors to create ‘iconic’ Tarkine experiences.Ref: HB09080H001 PER Tarkine Drive 33P Rev 00/DL/CL/jw 5
Page 1: Public Environment ReportTarkine Fo
Page 4: Figure 4.8 - Distribution of pretty
Page 7 and 8: 1. General informationFor convenien
Page 9: 1.5 Background to the development o
Page 13 and 14: Tarkine tourism development strateg
Page 15 and 16: For example:The Tarkine has been id
Page 17 and 18: Current mining leasesTasmanian Adva
Page 19 and 20: The objectives of conservation area
Page 21 and 22: 2. Description of the actionIn rela
Page 23 and 24: 2.1 Construction programming approa
Page 25 and 26: IDFGHIJKLSectionDescriptionBlackwat
Page 27 and 28: 2.3.1 Construction methodWorker ind
Page 29 and 30: Equipment and machineryThe specific
Page 31 and 32: Figure 2.3 - Proposed bridge replac
Page 33 and 34: Precast concrete piers and abutment
Page 35 and 36: 2.5 Tourism infrastructure worksThe
Page 37 and 38: Table 3.1 - Overview of potential i
Page 39 and 40: 4.1 AltitudeThe Tarkine Forest Driv
Page 41 and 42: 722131 TrowuttaThis land system has
Page 43 and 44: 4.8 Other important or unique value
Page 45 and 46: All potential habitats were inspect
Page 47 and 48: Eagle nest habitatForestry Tasmania
Page 49 and 50: Table 4.3 - Summary of the survey r
Page 51 and 52: PERReferenceNo furtheranalysis inPE
Page 53 and 54: Eight EPBC Act listed threatened fl
Page 55 and 56: Figure 4.2 - Distribution of Arthur
Page 57 and 58: Figure 4.4 - Threatened flora from
Page 59 and 60: Figure 4.5 - Distribution of large
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The potential for stochastic risk,
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Figure 4.7 - Distribution of northe
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The species potentially flowers fro
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Figure 4.9 - Distribution of short
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Figure 4.10 - Distribution of weste
Page 71 and 72:
4.10.8 Windswept Spider Orchid (Cal
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Known threatsThe key threat to wind
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Public Environment Report Tarkine Forest Drive ... - Transport

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