ENACT was forged out of the last natural disaster that hit this region.
Today we are in a global disaster recovery phase (we hope) and can tell you about our progress against the wish list for Eaglehawk Neck social infrastructure projects and concepts to contribute to Eaglehawk Neck as a better place to live or visit’ So what’s happened to the wish list?
Infrastructure Projects
Coastal Track. We’ve heard lot’s about this so no more to say here.
Public Toilets. Since this hit the 2013 list a single toilet unit has been established at the Whale Watchers Lookout on Pirates Bay. Discussions are ongoing about Pirates Bay Lookout, Tessellated Pavement Carpark and the Hall. Parks and Wildlife have upgraded toilets at the Blowhole, and toilets are imminent at Tasman Arch with constructing scheduled for commencement this July.
Improve Neck H’way crossing. This important safety improvement project is moving forward with tenders for construction closing in June, the Neck Highway crossing being deemed as a Covid Priority Infrastructure funding project. It incorporates works to divert flood waters from the Neck fairground which is frequently flooded, turning lanes at Blowhole Road, a safe pedestrian walkway across the neck and bus stops.
New life into EHN Historic Site. We continue to lobby in the interests of having the Port Arthur Newsletter July 2020 page 3 Historic Site Management Authority take over the management of the gatehouse of the Tasman Peninsula.
Upgrade Waterfall Bay road and lookout. Great progress here with Parks and Tasman Council reaching agreement to retain and maintain the road as a public road. Some signage issues outstanding here.
Virtual Wilderness Fences. A more recent addition to our list, which could have the potential to radically change our reputation as a roadkill capital, to a protected wildlife corridor. Good for the wildlife, good for your cars, good for the soul. We would love someone from our community to step forward and champion this idea!
Playground. Another project with many challenges still on the backburner, but once we get the Track defined, we think about a strategic location for best community access (including location to toilets). Then we could start putting thinking time into a unique Neck playground.
Our 2019 community survey flushed out the desire to have a local café/restaurant, newsagent/PO, grocery stand, service station/PO and also what about an ‘Eaglehawk’ sculpture. Maybe a future feature of our community coastal track?
Other issues raised and still being worked on;
Maintaining our website for locals, and what’s local of interest to visitors. Good progress here, see the story below.
Visitor Centre. Nothing to report here….
Re-Establish EHN Coastcare Group, some rays of light here but more needs to be done in the bigger
picture of dune regeneration activities planned for the coastal section of stage one soon to commence.
Then the underpinning formula for Eaglehawk Neck into the future:
Keep it wild; protection of penguin colony, shorebirds, wildlife corridors, plan for coastal erosion, undertake dune regeneration.