The entire project would cost about $3 million.

It will celebrate the history of the Chinese and their role in tin mining in the North- East.

It is planned to have 20 key projects, including an interpretation centre in Scottsdale, restoration of Ah Moy's Branxholm store and an interpretation centre at Weldborough costing $1.6 million.

The trail is expected to attract 60,000 visitors a year, including descendants of North-East miners from China, and to add $9 million to the economy.

Dorset Mayor and Trail Of The Dragon Project Management Committee chairman Peter Partridge said the idea was developed by the Dorset Economic Development Group after Scottsdale's Simplot vegetable processing plant closed last year at a cost of more than 100 jobs.

Cr Partridge said the themed trail would highlight the contribution of more than 1000 Chinese tin miners who arrived in the North-East during the late 1800s.

"I have never come across a project that has generated so much interest and enthusiasm," he said.

Premier Paul Lennon launched the project master plan at the Moorina Golf Club in front of State and federal politicians and representatives of five councils.

Mr Lennon said the project was important for the North- East and the State Government would give financial support.

He later said the State Government had given $300,000 to the Dorset Economic Development Group but would not say how much or when the State Government would give to the trail, because consultation was needed first.

Cr Partridge said he hoped the Federal Government would contribute $1.7 million during the forthcoming election campaign and most of the balance would come from the State Government.

A centrepiece of the trail is a proposed Star of Peace centre at Weldborough, complete with the Chinese temple, or joss house, relocated from the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Royal Park in Launceston.

But Launceston Mayor Janie Dickenson, who was at the launch, said the temple was not going anywhere.

Ald. Dickenson said she supported the trail but the council had been asked twice in the past two years for the temple to be moved and refused. This was because of the wishes of the Chinese community and a 1934 agreement to conserve the temple.

Launceston Chinese Association committee member Jimin He said the trail plan was a good one and should attract interest in China.

Dr He said the Launceston Chinese community would support the relocation of the temple to Weldborough, its original location, if it was properly preserved.

Cr Partridge said negotiations would continue with the Launceston council and the project would go ahead without the temple but it would be the "cream on the cake".

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