Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten and Treasurer Peter Gutwein have inspected the newly upgraded Seaport Boardwalk.
The $1.2 million project has seen the replacement of 2075 square metres of old timber planks with a new, recycled plastic decking material.
The State Government provided $1m in funding for the project, which has been undertaken in stages since the beginning of the year.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said parts of the boardwalk had been in dire need of a makeover, with some of the timbers beginning to show their age.
“The Seaport boardwalk is a real asset to Launceston, and a place where people can go walking, get a bite to eat and enjoy the river.
“Every day, it’s used by tourists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“It’s a very important link between the Cataract Gorge, Royal Park, the Seaport, North Bank and Inveresk.
“Through our North Bank project and Launceston City Heart Project we are trying to make the river a more accessible place for the people of Launceston, and this upgrade will only add to that.”
Mayor van Zetten said the decision to switch to a plastic decking material had been made for economic, durability and aesthetic reasons.
“The costs of maintaining the existing timber boardwalk into future would be significant.
“These newer plastic decking materials are harder wearing and longer lived.
“We will be able to re-use the best of the timber boards salvaged during this project to replace other sections that may wear in future.
“And no doubt we will consider using this material in other future boardwalk projects as well.
“The final element of this project will be to install new fibreglass handrails which we expect to occur in the near future.
“The redeveloped boardwalk looks fantastic and I think will be a real boon to traders in the area.”
