An iconic Tasmanian tourist attraction will close for winter and local businesses are treating a foreseen drop in visitor numbers as a necessary blow.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway will undergo major upgrades, with the railway expected to be back up and running in time for the summer tourism season.
It comes after a diesel locomotive derailed last month on the route back to Strahan while 90 people were onboard.
All Strahan services were cancelled and will remain closed until the project is completed.
Queenstown services have continued but are set to close from June 5.
West Coast Wilderness Railway acting general manager Ian Robertson said the entire railway would be shut for a time, but one end might open before the other.
"By tackling the necessary upgrades head-on and in one go we will add decades to the operational life of the railway and the local economic benefit it brings to the west coast region," he said.
"It's a short-term bit of pain for a very long-term gain and a generational fix, I feel."
Mr Robertson said staff would be retained and cafes in Strahan and Queenstown would remain open.
Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said management had been trying to address maintenance and upgrades while keeping the trains on track.
"But the age of the infrastructure and the work that needs to be done calls for a more intensive, programmed work plan during the quieter time of year," he said.
"It means the shutdown will be during the low-patron winter season.
"Nonetheless it was a hard decision to make, but a necessary one and strongly recommended by local tourism representatives to get the best result."
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the longer shutdown would affect tourism operators and the region.
"In recognition of this we have developed a $1 million support program to drive continued visitation, while also supporting our operators on the ground to invest in their businesses during the winter period," he said.
Mr Rockliff said the program included a targeted travel voucher program encouraging Tasmanians to visit the west, and a small grants program for local businesses to invest in new projects.
Locals taking it in their stride
Local tourism operators say it will make the already quiet winter season more challenging, but they are ready to roll with the punches.
Sharonlee Strahan Villas and Marsden Court Apartments owner operator Pam McDermott said her businesses had already experienced cancellations since the derailment.
She said the railway was an iconic experience, and its closure in April 2013 had shown how important it was for West Coast tourism.
She said she would feel the impact of lower numbers, but understood upgrades were necessary.
"I can understand the government wanting to do the work, but why wasn't the work done during COVID?" she said.
"And why hasn't it been done and maintained over its operation? Why is it just now that suddenly this has all happened?"
Support welcomed
Ms McDermott was reassured by the support measures and said similar travel vouchers during COVID had made a difference.
"It is another blow, but we have to be resilient, which I think our industry is," she said.
In Queenstown, the sentiment is similar.
Penghana Bed and Breakfast co-owner Karen Nixon said she had no doubt it would affect visitation but said the long-term payoff would be worth it.
"The railway is the one thing that you can do rain, hail or shine, so that will make a difference," she said.
Ms Nixon said following a strong economic winter in the township last year, the industry had to live with the balance.
"We've got to take the good with the bad," she said.
