The Tasmanian Government has awarded a $12 million contract for work on the Cradle Mountain Visitor Gateway Precinct to Tasmanian construction company Fairbrother.

One of Tasmania’s most visited natural icons, the Cradle Mountain- Lake St Clair National Park attracted about 280,000 visitors during the last financial year. This is expected to grow to up to 339,000 visitors by FY20.

The Precinct will become the prime entrance to the national park and wilderness area, as well as the main access point to Dove Lake and the departure point for the world-famous Overland Track.

The contract includes the construction of new buildings including a new visitor services centre, commercial tour operators building and a café and essential infrastructure services such as power, water, sewage, and communications to service the Gateway Precinct. Other works include civil, landscaping, rehabilitation works, access roads and car parking.

All of these works will occur on Crown land outside the national park, alongside Cradle Mountain Road. All planning approvals for the works have been obtained.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is making a total investment of more than $56.8 million into the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, in addition to commitments from the Federal Government.

The announcement coincides with the release of the Cradle Mountain EOI Investment Prospectus, which marks a significant milestone in the revitalisation of the visitor experience at this iconic destination.

The 13.5 hectare site is made up of five parcels of Crown land, which are being offered as leasehold parcels to a developer who can realise the vision of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan.

Potential uses include a unique tourism offering with accommodation, food and beverage outlets, experiential leisure and retail options. Additional land is being made available for the potential development of staff accommodation, opposite the existing visitor centre.

Earlier in 2018 Fairbrother was named MBA National Commercial/Industrial Construction Award winner in the category $20m-$50m. The Tasmanian construction company also won nine project excellence awards at the Master Builders Tasmania Awards for Excellence gala, including multiple awards for the iconic MONA Pharos building and UTAS’s NRAS Melville Street building. 

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