There has been a long process which will see a major development in the northern end of the Cradle Mountain Lakes St Clair national park in Tasmania. The state government has now released the Dove Lake Viewing Shelter Development Proposal and Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for public comment.

This is the first release of plans for the shelter which is planned for Dove Lake. Other key components of the proposal are a redevelopment of the tourist ‘gateway’ facilities to the north and the building of a gondola/ cable car between the new tourist centre and Dove Lake (the cable car component of the plan got the green light in May when former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced $30 million for the project). The DPEIS will be on display for six weeks. According to the government, “feedback from the community will help refine the Development Approval that will be submitted to the Kentish Council. Once all approvals have been obtained, the construction works will be tendered late this year”.

The DPEIS can be found here. The consultation period closes on 21 October 2018.

The DPEIS covers ‘proposed improvements to the Dove Lake experience include a new viewing shelter blended into the landscape at Dove Lake, a kiosk and associated infrastructure at the northern end of Dove Lake, within the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park’.

The Advocate reports that:

‘The viewing platform has been designed to blend into the Cradle Mountain landscape and features earthy colours, seating and wall-to-ceiling glass panels.

The structure will be joined by a new bus shelter and amenities building, outdoor viewing area, parking, turning circle and connections to the Dove Lake walking tracks and Glacier Rock viewing platform’.​