Why is this project needed?
The Edge of the World Revitalisation Project seeks to address the growing use of the area and manage the site sustainably. The current infrastructure has been in place for 20 to 35 years and has had to deal with the wind, rain, hail and salt air from the Indian Ocean. Previous interpretation signage, including of the significant Aboriginal cultural heritage, has faded so needs to be reimagined and replaced. The facilities also need to be updated to meet contemporary expectations for disabled access.
What facilities will be provided at Edge of the World?
The facilities proposed for Edge of the World include:
Accessible walkway
Accessible viewing platform
Accessible shelters, picnic tables and barbeques
Accessible toilets (Disability Discrimination Act compliant)
Access for fishing
Walking tracks
Seating areas
Interpretation/ Information signage
Disabled, car, and long vehicle parks
Sealed road
Pedestrian access from the start of the PWS-maintained section of Airey Drive.
Why isn't the infrastructure being replaced in the same location?
The current infrastructure is due for replacement and facilities such as the toilet and dump point (used by caravans/campervans) are located close to the headland and not consistent with contemporary site expectations.
The footprint of the current carparks cannot be extended due to the physical constraints of the site, Aboriginal cultural heritage and natural values. The current carparks do not have spaces marked and long vehicles can be difficult to turn around.
Moving the parking away from the headland will allow for increased parking with a turning area to create a more efficient site. The proposed parking stays within the current footprint of disturbed land.
The proposed location of the barbeque shelter at the top of the crest was identified through numerous on-site assessments. It achieves a stunning view west and north to Australia Rock while staying within an existing disturbed area.
The toilets are proposed to be separately located near the main carpark, which will enable easy access from the carpark.
Will any new walking tracks be created as part of the plan?
Yes, several new walking tracks are proposed to be created. This includes:
Dedicated pedestrian track along Airey Drive
Accessible walkway from new shelter to the headland
Walking track return to shelter (remediated section of current gravel road)
Return walking track south along the coast.
Why change the current access to the rocky headland?
Providing a platform at Edge of the World will create a new opportunity for people with a disability, the elderly and people with prams to experience the wild coastline.
The current boardwalk ends on the rocky surface of Gardiner Point. This does not allow access by people with some disabilities (e.g. mobility and vision) or those with prams as they can’t turn around safely. The ground surface is also uneven. Creating a viewing platform will protect the sensitive vegetation and still allow for access to the best views. Where possible the platform will be designed with kerbing rather than balustrading to limit impact on the aesthetics of the headland and views.
What opportunities will be available for Tasmanian Aboriginal people to be involved?
Feedback on the draft concept plan.
Input to the design of the infrastructure.
Planning and rehabilitation of the locations where infrastructure may be removed and participate in review for potentially reinstating cultural burning.
Planning, design and implementation of interpretative displays or artwork developed by Tasmanian Aboriginal people that detail the significant cultural connections.
What will happen to the Edge of the World plaque?
On the rocky headland there is a stone cairn with the “Edge of the World” poem with a plaque. The poem is by Brian Inder, known as the founder of “Tazmazia and the Village of Lower Crackpot” in the Promised Land. The poem encourages visitors to throw a stone off the Edge of the World. There is introduced gravel across this site.
The plaque is proposed to be retained within the site, with the location to be determined during detailed design.
The current circular lookout will be removed. There are pebbles inside this platform that are not local to the site, and which get dispersed outside the structure.
How will the natural values or cultural heritage values be protected?
While the area is remote and looks wild, the Edge of the World’s cultural and natural values have been impacted over the years. It has been used for walking, fishing, off-road driving, cattle grazing and visitation, which has resulted in the introduction of non-native species, lack of Aboriginal cultural fire management, increase in coastal wattle and tea-tree and loss of habitat for endemic orchid species.
Impact assessment of the proposed changes has commenced. The majority of the proposed infrastructure upgrades are within the existing disturbed footprint; this was a core design principle. The relocation of infrastructure will enable rehabilitation of areas near the headland and removal of inconsistent infrastructure such as the toilet dump point (proposed to be moved to the cattleyard site).
The site is located within the Visitor Services Zone outlined in the APCA Management Plan. Initial Aboriginal cultural heritage and natural values surveys have been undertaken as part of the concept planning process. The location of proposed infrastructure is proposed in areas that limit impacts on the currently known cultural and natural values of the site. An Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Report and comprehensive Reserve Activity Assessment process will be undertaken, including community consultation, for the proposed concept.
How will areas be rehabilitated?
An objective of the project is to rehabilitate the areas of the site where infrastructure will be removed and access relocated. Large areas of the site have lacked fire management for more than 20 years. There has been an increase in coastal wattle and tea-tree creating a thick shrub layer. This has prevented the growth of native grasses and ground orchids that were previously recorded in the area.
Planning and engagement with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community will be undertaken to determine what vegetation and fire management could be utilised. The revegetation of areas will involve planning, collection of suitable seed, propagation of locally endemic species and maintenance of plantings. These works will involve consultation and participation from the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to determine suitability of the approach. The coastal location and sensitive cultural heritage will determine any rehabilitation outcomes.
How much further will I need to walk?
The distance to walk from the main carpark to the Edge of the World viewing platform will be an extra 300m or five-minute walk (450m total). The distance from the disabled carparks near the proposed shelter to the viewing platform will be 300m on an accessible walkway. There will be several seating areas and handrails (where needed) on the walkway to rest along the way. An accessible shelter near the current carpark will provide protection from the weather when the wind or rain pick up.
A previous survey at the site found almost 90% of people wanted to see the opportunity for a short walk in the area. The relocation of carparking will allow for a new walkway and rehabilitation of the sand dune area behind the rocky headland. The walkway will allow for interpretation and information about the site to be shared on the journey to the Edge of the World viewing platform. During initial consultation, increasing the time taken to spend at and appreciate the site has been expressed by community members as a preferred outcome.
There are several other locations in the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area that will still provide direct vehicle access to coastal viewpoints.
I fish from the rocks at Edge of the World will I still be able to access this?
Yes, dedicated access points will be included from the proposed walkway. The walking distance from the carpark will be an extra 300m or five-minute walk.
What is happening with the current stone BBQ shelter?
Community sentiment regarding the existing rock-lined shelter was recorded during the community meeting. Unfortunately, the shelter is in poor condition, does not provide enough space to allow more than one group to use it at a time and it does not meet modern universal design or disability access standards. The design will attempt to incorporate part of the structure or the stone from the shelter as part of the revitalised site.
Replacing this shelter with new shelters will allow more locals and visitors to use the shelters and provide wheelchair friendly picnic tables and barbeques. Currently at Julius River picnic area, on the Takayna / Tarkine Drive, there are wheelchair friendly facilities. Increasing the accessibility of the Edge of the World and Arthur River will provide a further destination for people with a disability on the North West coast and in Takayna / Tarkine region.
Will the carpark be close to houses?
The main carpark at Edge of the World will be approximately 280m from the nearest house. It won’t be visible from houses due to the curve in Airey Drive and topography of the land. Sealing the road will reduce dust thrown up by vehicles. Traffic calming devices, such as speed bumps, may be included to slow vehicles and prevent unsocial driving behaviours.
Council manages the current section of Airey Drive that is sealed and this will remain Council’s responsibility.
How will the off-road vehicle access to Arthur Beach south be changed?
The current off-road access to Arthur Beach south is proposed to be relocated to the fire trail from Temma Road cattleyards. Planning into developing sand ladders and sections of divided track have commenced to upgrade this for regular use.
Why is the off-road track being relocated?
This track intersects significant areas of Aboriginal heritage sites so relocating this access will reduce impacts. Vehicles also travel along the residential section of Airey Drive before diverting onto the off-road track. Relocating access to the fire trail will separate the day use visitors to Edge of the World from off-road vehicle users.
What facilities will be available at the off-road vehicle visitor site?
This site is still in the planning phase and we are seeking feedback on the facilities at this site. Initial planning includes parking to off load ATVs and bikes, long vehicle parking, a toilet, toilet cassette dump point and information signs regarding the Arthur Beach track.
What are the next steps in the project?
Feedback from the Aboriginal community, stakeholders and the public on the Draft Concept Plan will be considered and the concept will be revised based on this input. Ongoing engagement will ensure the concept achieves outcomes and opportunities to improve the cultural experience and participation in the revitalisation of the area.
Following the concept planning, detailed assessment, planning and design will be undertaken with further opportunities for public consultation.
The project is due to be completed in 2027.