PUMPHOUSE Point developer Simon Currant choked back tears yesterday as he officially opened the doors of the remote wilderness retreat. Mr Currant stopped to take stock on the banks of Lake St Clair, reflecting on a dream that has taken him, his family and his team of staff more than 18 years to bring to fruition. "It was a very bumpy road ... there's been all sorts of things that have caused problems for us," he said. "It's been a long time coming and it's a really momentous day." Mr Currant reflected on first exploring the site 20 years ago, carrying his infant daughter on his back. Now an adult, Miss Currant stood proudly by her father's side for yesterday's official opening. Mr Currant acknowledged unwavering support received from successive state governments, the Parks and Wildlife Service and Tourism Tasmania, in the face of some sustained, vocal opposition to his development plans. After soaking in the site by air, on water and on foot, Premier Will Hodgman paid tribute to Mr Currant's vision, passion and persistence. "Many people would have given up by now but that's not Simon Currant's way, and thank God for that," Mr Hodgman said. The Premier said the boutique hotel was testament to the potential of sensitive, sustainable developments inside Tasmania's national parks and World Heritage Area. "The reason we as a government are prepared to challenge the boundaries to see what's available and what new ideas might be in people's minds about new developments is so that we can end up with results like this," he said. The government is considering 37 proposals from private developers interested in pursuing similar eco-tourism ventures.
Environment Minister Matthew Groom, co-manager Renee Anderson, developer Simon Currant, and Premier Will Hodgman. Picture: Daniel McCulloch
Pumphouse Point from the air. Picture: Daniel McCulloch
PUMPHOUSE Point developer Simon Currant choked back tears yesterday as he officially opened the doors of the remote wilderness retreat.
Mr Currant stopped to take stock on the banks of Lake St Clair, reflecting on a dream that has taken him, his family and his team of staff more than 18 years to bring to fruition.
"It was a very bumpy road ... there's been all sorts of things that have caused problems for us," he said.
"It's been a long time coming and it's a really momentous day."
Mr Currant reflected on first exploring the site 20 years ago, carrying his infant daughter on his back.
Now an adult, Miss Currant stood proudly by her father's side for yesterday's official opening.
Mr Currant acknowledged unwavering support received from successive state governments, the Parks and Wildlife Service and Tourism Tasmania, in the face of some sustained, vocal opposition to his development plans.
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After soaking in the site by air, on water and on foot, Premier Will Hodgman paid tribute to Mr Currant's vision, passion and persistence.
"Many people would have given up by now but that's not Simon Currant's way, and thank God for that," Mr Hodgman said.
The Premier said the boutique hotel was testament to the potential of sensitive, sustainable developments inside Tasmania's national parks and World Heritage Area.
"The reason we as a government are prepared to challenge the boundaries to see what's available and what new ideas might be in people's minds about new developments is so that we can end up with results like this," he said.
The government is considering 37 proposals from private developers interested in pursuing similar eco-tourism ventures.
