The Rockliff Liberal Government proudly invests in the conservation, infrastructure, interpretation and education programs of the three sites managed by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority.
Minister for Heritage, Nick Duigan, said that in 2022-23 PAHSMA invested $8.99 million in the Port Arthur Site, the Cascades Female Factory Site and the Coal Mines Site at Saltwater River.
“PAHSMA is renowned for excellence in conservation practice and heritage tourism, and plays a significant role in Tasmania’s vibrant tourism sector contributing nationally as a heritage best-practice organisation,” Minister Duigan said.
“Tasmania’s rich cultural heritage is part of the fabric of this great State and PAHSMA has enjoyed an extremely successful and productive year.”
Site visitation in 2022-23 was:
320,621 visitors at the Port Arthur Historic Site – a 71.3 per cent increase on the previous year;
35,260 visitors at the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site; and
17,474 visitors at the Coal Mines Historic Site, at Saltwater River, based on track readers.
Minister Duigan said conservation works focussed on the Junior Medical Officer’s House re-shingling, repainting of the Asylum and the Asylum Bakehouse, basement masonry works at the Visiting Magistrate’s House and root flushing to protect heritage oak trees.
“Another achievement was the re-opening of the Matron’s Quarters, at the Cascades Female Factory, with a temporary exhibition that shares the history and conservation works,” Minister Duigan said.
“PAHSMA was also recognised with several significant awards including a gold medal in the 2022 Tourism Awards under the Major Tourist Attraction category.
“The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site also claimed gold in the Cultural Tourism Award with visitors experiencing the interpretive experience that shares the tragic and triumphant stories of the convict women, their children and the local Aboriginal history of the site.
“The site will now represent Tasmania in the Cultural Tourism category at the Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in March 2024.”
Minister Duigan welcomed new CEO, Will Flamsteed, to the team and made special mention of the $12 million spent with local or national businesses with offices and staff in Tasmania, and working with 64 local suppliers located within a 70km radius of the Port Arthur site.
