Vision Needed for Macquarie Wharf No 1
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has thrown its support behind plans to redevelop Macquarie Wharf as a showcase for local and visiting art exhibitions.
TICT Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hanna said today the tourism industry supported the proposal by the owner of Moorilla Winery David Walsh to redevelop Macquarie Wharf No 1 Shed as a space for art exhibitions.
“David’s proposal to redevelop the wharf shed to include an exhibition space and further develop the vibrant arts scene in Hobart fits well with the tourism industry’s view of what is needed on Hobart’s waterfront,” Mr Hanna said.
Mr Hanna said Moorilla’s new Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the redevelopment of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the new investments at Peppermint Bay represent new investments of well in excess of $100 million and would drive Tasmania as a hub for visitors seeking arts and culture experiences.
“We believe these projects will develop a whole new visitor market for Hobart.
“The industry will need more high quality hotel rooms in Hobart to accommodate the growing demand, especially during the peak seasons.The increase in visitors we are expecting these developments to generate means we are going to urgently need to look at increasing the stock of accommodation and other facilities to meet the needs of additional high-yield visitors,” Mr Hanna said.
Mr Hanna said people should not see the redevelopment of Macquarie Wharf and other key Sullivans Cove sites as competition to the traditional use of Hobart Port as a working port.
“To the contrary, we want to see Hobart remain a working port. That is still its major function and part of the history and charm of the city’s waterfront,” Mr Hanna said.
“But we can and should make better use of what is one of the best waterfront locations anywhere in the world.
“Tasmania is renowned for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Summer Festival, for our collection of wonderful historic buildings and for our iconic national park and wilderness areas.
“But wouldn’t it also be wonderful to add another major string to our marketing bow by having people come here for our art and culture,” Mr Hanna said.
Last month the TICT also called for quick action on redevelopment of Princes Wharf No 1.
The TICT urged the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority and the Government to set some guiding principles for the future use of Princes Wharf including the provision of open space for visitors, ensuring a connection between Salamanca Place and the water, incorporating exhibition space and other facilities for the conference market, and retention of the site as the home of the Taste of Tasmania.
