Elise Archer,Minister for Heritage
The Tasmanian Government has today outlined details of our record two year construction blitz, to build our way out from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We remain committed to helping our world-renowned heritage sites recover from the difficult times faced as a result of COVID-19.
I am thrilled to announce our Government will contribute $3 million towards a new Visitor and Interpretation Centre at the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Cascades Female Factory, operated by the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA).
Open as a jail between 1828 and 1856, it was one of the longest operating of the 11 female factories in Australia. More than half of the 25,000 female convicts who were transported to Australia came to Van Diemen's Land and most would have had a connection with the Cascades Factory.
It is one of very few surviving female factories and has been deemed of international heritage significance due to its ability to tell the female convict story. Ninety-one per cent of females who arrived in Tasmania had been convicted for minor crimes.
It is also a significant site for the Hobart region, seeing 34,803 visitors in 2018-19 and is a significant tourist attraction.
Designed by local architectural firm Liminal Studio, in partnership with Snohetta and Rush Wright Associates, the project has recently received relevant approvals from the Heritage Council and the Hobart City Council.
Importantly, this vital and exciting heritage project will deliver jobs for local businesses and contractors, and help the Tasmanian community recover and rebuild from COVID-19.
