Tasmania’s tourism industry has welcomed MONA founder David Walsh’s vision for Macquarie Point by 2050, highlighting the site’s potential to draw increased visitors to Tasmania and the North.
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On Sunday, the state government threw its support behind the concept, directing the Macquarie Point Development corporation to prepare a new collaborative plan.
“Under the new plan the government wants to see the area developed to include public space, exhibition space, commercial space, cultural space, conference facilities, accommodation, facilities to support our status as Australia’s Antarctic gateway, tourism infrastructure and ultimately, genuine waterfront development,” State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said.
Media reports noted some of MONA’s proposal involved the development of a music bowl, light rail transport, a Tasmanian Aboriginal history centre, contemporary art space, and Antarctic science precinct.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said investments such as the Macquarie Point proposal often had a stimulus effect on investment and tourism throughout the rest of the state.
“I don’t look at us as a state divided, we have to look at creating these drawcard locations, we know that 66 per cent of room nights are spent outside of Hobart,” Mr Martin said.
He said the number one priority for the industry was developing Cradle Mountain through the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, while Macquarie Point could also become another major drawcard.
