Sydney development consultant Justin Littlemore is a man with a plan.
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Mr Littlemore wants to implement a passenger ferry to take visitors from Coles Bay into the Freycinet National Park
“The ferries would provide tourists an alternative method of entry to the park via a short Coles Bay cruise which would deliver them straight to the park,” Mr Littlemore said.
“The service would provide relief to the burden of tourism on the park, especially in regard to parking.
“We’re really looking to do an ethical development that will benefit the community, and a ferry really falls into that,” he said.
A proposal for the ferry was submitted to the Tasmanian Government by Mr Littlemore in July.
Due to the state government’s recently implemented Master Plan for Freycinet, however, Mr Littlemore’s Freycinet ferry has been put on hold.
The Master Plan aims to consider the transport issues the park faces, alongside ways to cope with growing numbers of tourists.
“I’ve appealed to the state government to fast-track a decision, because it has very clear benefits to the park,” he said.
“I’m hoping that I’ll get an answer sooner rather than later.
“It’s been very well received by everyone I’ve spoken to,” Mr Littlemore said.
Freycinet National Park is a widely popular destination over the warmer months, due to its white sand beaches, secluded bays, and pink granite peaks.
In 2016/17, around 292,000 people visited the park, according to statistics from Parks and Wildlife Tasmania.
Despite living in Sydney, Mr Littlemore has a vested interest in the park.
“I love the place. Tasmania is like my second home,” he said, “This particular part of the world is such a fabulous place.
“The burden that especially parking has on the park has really fuelled my enthusiasm in setting up a ferry service.”
Minister for Environment, Parks, and Heritage Matthew Groom said the Freycinet master plan aims to “showcase the jewel in Tasmania’s crown”.
“We must properly plan and invest in infrastructure to ensure a sustainable future for Freycinet, that’s why the Hodgman Government has set aside $50,000 this year to develop a comprehensive master plan for tourism infrastructure for the area.
“The Master Plan will consider everything from transport logistics and water supply through to sewerage management and is vital to ensure that we can sustainably manage this very sensitive area and is a vital step to ensure that we can continue to showcase the area and improve on what’s on offer,” Mr Groom said.
There are other services currently running that can take visitors into the park in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
The award-winning Aqua Taxi service run by Freycinet Adventures can take visitors to different locations along the peninsula, and Wineglass Bay Cruises take visitors along the coast and show them a view of Wineglass Bay that they will not soon forget.
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