The historic Duck Reach Power Station could gain a new, easily accessible museum and interpretation centre.
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This week the City of Launceston agreed to investigate the need for a masterplan for the Duck Reach Power Station precinct, covering both sides of the South Esk river.
The decision follows lobbying from the Duck Reach Historical Group to involve the council in conservation works for the historic site.
In February historian Gus Green made a presentation to the council’s Heritage Advisory Committee showing the options for new tourism facilities at the Corin Street site, with the council deciding to investigate his suggestions further.
Chairman of the historical group Shane Dennington said they had been promised $51,000 by the re-elected Liberal government to fund a smaller, strategic plan focused on developing a new museum overlooking the power station.
Mr Dennington said while the Corin Street car park had plenty of visitors every day, the power station itself was not easily accessible.
Having a new museum, designed to stretch out over the cliff edge by about four metres and overlook the power station, would improve its popularity and accessibility, he said.
Mr Dennington said once the strategic plan was commissioned and received, the history group planned to seek federal funding for the development of the new museum.
The Duck Reach Power Station was built in 1895 and was the first publicly owned hydroelectric power station in Australia, perched on the steep banks of the Cataract Gorge.
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“[Duck Reach] is really overlooked,” Mr Dennington said.
“Launceston was one of the richest cities in Australia, it was well ahead of its time.”
Works already completed by the group include the restoration of the flying fox that was used to ferry goods and equipment down to the station.
The flying fox has been restored using timbers from the Seaport boardwalk following serious damage from flooding.
“Our plan is to get that back in, upgrade the winch-house … so people can visualise what it looks like,” he said.
City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said work already done by the historical group was to be commended.
"Developing a master plan will help us establish the guiding principles for the site going forward, and I think it makes sense that we have a clear strategy in place for such an important part of the city's heritage,” he said.
Mr Dennington said he hoped to see a new museum completed for Duck Reach’s 125th anniversary in 2020.
