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The
Cradle Coast Region is situated on the North West and West Coast
of Tasmania and comprises the nine Local Government municipalities
of Latrobe, Devonport City, Kentish, Central Coast, Burnie City,
Waratah-Wynyard, West Coast, Circular Head and King Island. The
region covers an area of 22,492 square km, approximately one third of the
total area of Tasmania.
In 2002 the estimated resident population of the region was around
106,417, almost 23% of the total population of Tasmania.
The population is concentrated in the towns and cities along the
coastal stretch between Wynyard and Latrobe, with Burnie and Devonport
forming the two major centres
The social and demographic issues confronting the region have changed
significantly over the last 50 years. Steady population growth was
experienced after World War II until the 1990s when like the rest
of Tasmania, there was overall population decline. The decline can
be attributed to structural changes in the mining, manufacturing
and forestry industries.
The mainstays of the Cradle Coast region’s economy are still
agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and mining with retail and
tourism playing an increasingly important role. Manufacturing has for many years been a vitally important activity
in the Region, and includes the production and processing of dairy
goods, vegetables, textiles, wood, paper, cement and mining equipment.
The region is renowned for its agriculture production. In 2000–01
the value of agricultural commodities produced in the region was
$315M. Principal agricultural activities include dairying, vegetable
growing and beef production.
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wilderness areas, unique plants and animals, remarkable coastline,
rugged peaks and peaceful rural scenery help define us as a Region.
The Region’s natural resources give us clean water, fresh
air and healthy lifestyles and are the foundation of our industries,
including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining and nature-based
tourism. Everyone has a role to play in making sure they are properly
managed.
Tourism is another important industry for the Cradle Coast Region.
The region is renowned for its unique and diverse environment, including
pristine wilderness, rugged mountain areas, extensive forests,
untouched coastlines, old mining towns and productive agriculture
lands.
The Region contains the most extensive wilderness in the temperate
world with significant natural and cultural heritage areas including
the Arthur–Pieman Conservation Area, Narawntapu National Park, Rocky Cape National Park, and the World Heritage Areas of Cradle
Mountain and the Franklin and Gordon Rivers.
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