A new shared-use trail could be built at Freycinet National Park.
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Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service have submitted a development application for the track with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council.
The shared track could be used by pedestrians and cyclists, and would start at the Ranger Creek day use area and end at the Wineglass Bay trailhead.
By providing a walking line between the Freycinet Visitor Centre and Wineglass Bay car park, the trail is aimed at reducing car park congestion and to reduce risks to visitors.
It would also protect the values of the park by creating a formal shared use track to reduce visitors going off-track, according to the development application.
The trail would include cross-over tracks linking the main trail to Richardsons Beach, Freycinet Lodge, and Honeymoon Bay.
The development application said the track would be designed primarily to accommodate the needs of pedestrians, and while suitable for cyclists, there would be bends and other design features which would not allow them to ride at excessive speeds.
The Parks and Wildlife Service said the trail intended to cater to a broad range of users, such as families, and aimed to provide visitors with a high quality and safe nature trail experience.
The application said tour operators, tourism bodies, and residents and visitors would be interested in the project.
It would also be designed to be low maintenance and able to withstand heavy rainfall.
In terms of construction, heavy machinery would be used and gravel would be imported to harden the track’s surface.
The track would pass through areas that contain threatened flora, but had been designed to avoid those areas where possible
Aboriginal heritage values influenced the location of the track, with all significant sites avoided in the plan.
Freycinet is a popular destination, with 301,000 people visiting the area in 2017-18.
For more information, visit the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council website at gsbc.tas.gov.au.
Representations on the development application can be made by letter or by emailing planning@freycinet.tas.gov.au by March 1.