Cradle Mountain is the northern gateway to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Era was engaged by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to provide planning services associated with implementing the Cradle Mountain Visitor Experience Master Plan, to deliver a 'precinct revitalisation' at Cradle Mountain.

Era facilitated the necessary commonwealth, state and local approvals for the construction of a new viewing shelter at Dove Lake, which was to replace the existing car park and provide for enhanced visitor facilities and walker registration. Era also prepared a social impact assessment, assisted with visual impact analysis, and submitted the planning permit application. The application was granted in early 2019, and construction was completed in 2022.

Era also facilitated a planning scheme amendment to update the specific area plan for the ‘gateway’ on the former Cradle airstrip along with several planning permit applications for development at the gateway, including the new visitor centre. The Gateway was awarded a commendation in the Tasmanian Awards for Planning Excellence in 2022.

Project Highlights

• Guided client through many planning and environmental approvals required at state and commonwealth level.

• Supported engagement between Tasmania Parks & Wildlife and the broader Tasmanian community to help build social licence.

• Provided ongoing advice to State Government on approval and implementation of project elements.

• Helped support sustainable tourism in a much-loved area of Tasmania.