Quick Action Needed for Princes Wharf No 1
The Tourism industry’s peak group has urged quick action on redevelopment of Princes Wharf No 1.TICT Chief Executive Daniel Hanna said today the Hobart waterfront was one of Tasmania’s most visited attractions but the Princes Wharf shed was unattractive and currently under-used for most of the year.
“The TICT is not against public involvement in deciding the future of Princes No 1, but there has been a lot of talk over the past two decades and, let’s face it, everyone has a different view, so there will never be a consensus,” Mr Hanna said.
“Instead of arguing over whether it should be demolished or refurbished, we need to decide on the guiding principles and then get on with it.
“The TICT believes those principles need to include:
• Open the area to visitors (by removing the fences and car parking)
• Provide a connection with the water (and view of it) from Salamanca Place
• Provision of needed visitor services such as exhibition space and capability of catering for large dinners or receptions
• Retain the area as a home for the Taste of Tasmania.
“I’m sure we will be able to come up with interesting and viable proposals that better link the Salamanca precinct to the water while retaining, and enhancing the things we need Princes No 1 to be able to do – such as provide a venue for the Taste,” Mr Hanna said.
Mr Hanna said that whatever form the final re-development of Princes No 1 took it was important that, in addition to meeting these guiding principles, it was also commercially viable.
