How can I tell which tracks are open and which are closed to off-road vehicles?
There is a Recreational Driving Guide available for drivers who plan to visit the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area which includes maps of vehicle tracks in the area. For tracks outside of the APCA, we recommend that you contact the local Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service Field Centre to find out if there are any restrictions applicable to the area you intend to visit.
Will tracks 501, 601 and 503 within the APCA remain closed to vehicle use?
Tracks 501, 601 and 503 south of Sandy Cape in the APCA are closed for use by public vehicles due to the significant Aboriginal cultural heritage in the areas that the tracks used to traverse. People are still able to access the area on foot and we encourage those who walk in the area to be considerate of the natural and cultural heritage values and adopt Leave No Trace practices.
Will there be changes to the APCA Recreational Driver Pass system because of the Project?
The project seeks to identify priorities for the west coast of Tasmania, beyond the boundaries of the APCA. As part of the implementation of the West Coast Off-Road Vehicle Strategy, consideration will be given to the application of the APCA Recreational Driver Pass and whether a similar system could be used in other areas of the West Coast, such as tracks south of the Pieman River.
Is the Edge of the World visitor site redevelopment being funding from the APCA and West Coast Vehicle Project?
The Edge of the World Revitalisation Project is a separately funded project. The Tasmanian Government has committed $2.75 million to improve the Edge of the World visitor site, while protecting the important Aboriginal cultural heritage and natural values of the area. This project is in the planning phase.
Why has it taken since 2021 (announcement of funding) to 2025 for the strategy to be released?
Development of the Strategy included several phases of organisation, community and stakeholder consultation and feedback that was considered by Inspiring Place and the PWS. This collaborative development required additional time to consider the objectives and outcomes, particularly in the context of the West Coast and APCA.
Were my comments on Draft Strategy (Have Your Say) considered by PWS?
The PWS reviewed all submissions and made amendments to the Strategy with consideration of the sentiments expressed, differences between stakeholder groups and issues within the scope of the Strategy. This is all balanced with the management objectives of the conservation area or reserves that the off-road tracks or facilities are within.
The broad themes raised in submissions and responses are presented in the Submissions Report.
What consultation will be undertaken during the implementation of the Strategy?
Implementation of the Strategy is planned over three years and will include further stakeholder consultation regarding the proposed actions. Implementation of the Strategy stretches across a large portion of Tasmania that includes a range of local and statewide interest holders. For each of the major actions, the identification of those specific stakeholders will be conducted and engagement will occur to seek further input regarding the actions.
Further consultation and engagement will occur with Aboriginal organisations and community members across the state through the implementation of the project when developing site plans, planning heritage protection works on tracks, interpretive materials and monitoring systems.
When will works on the ground start?
The Strategy will be implemented over three years. For works proposed in the Strategy, the PWS will first need to prepare designs and undertake necessary assessment, consultation and approvals processes, including Reserve Activity Assessments (RAA) and, where required, referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for potential impacts to matters of national environmental significance.
Some works have already been completed or commenced as part of the broader West Coast Off Road Vehicle Access and Experience Project including upgrades to the gravel shack node roads, and replacement of the Cassiterite Creek bridge near Balfour, minor repairs to sections of the Sandy Cape Track and the track from Trial Harbour to the Little Henty and a temporary toilet at Granville Harbour.
$900,000 of the project funding was allocated to the shack node roads in the APCA. These aren’t off-road tracks, why were they funded?
Works to the shack node roads were a part of the project committed to by the Government with the advice of the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area Management Committee. These gravel roads maintain access to areas of the APCA.