The Tasmanian state government has not accepted the proposal to sink the ex-HMAS Darwin off the state’s East Coast.
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State Growth Minister Peter Gutwein made the announcement on Friday.
“Due diligence undertaken by the Department of State Growth has identified it would cost in in excess of $12 million to prepare and establish the ex-HMAS Darwin as a dive wreck,” he said.
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“The department found there are further ongoing costs, approximately $600,000 per annum, to monitor and manage the dive wreck site that would not be covered by dive permit receipts.”
Mr Gutwein said the money would be better spent on health or education.
Over the past months, Mr Gutwein said the government received “numerous representations” from the community in support, and against, the project.
“There is no doubt some will be disappointed with the outcome,” he said.
“Ultimately, the government decided that this opportunity was not right for either Tasmania or the East Coast and the decision has been made with the best interests of the state in mind.”
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