A development application for Hotel Gorge was lodged with the City of Launceston council on Thursday. 

If approved, the JAC Group project would provide Launceston CBD with a 145 room, five star hotel complete with a rooftop cocktail bar, penthouse suites, restaurant and a function centre. 

Tourism Northern Tasmania chief executive Chris Griffin said the development ticked all the boxes when it came to meeting visitor demand. 

“The main thing about this development is its both at the top end of the market, with a large volumes of rooms to offer,” he said. 

“Most certainly it will be well received as the demand continues to grow. Something like this will certainly sit well to that. 

“We identified a number of years ago that there was a gap here in the North for this sort of top end market.

“I think this will work well to compliment the likes of MACq 01, Henry Jones and Pumphouse Point across the state, while ensuring we fulfill the requirements for high market accommodation right here in Launceston.”

Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said Hotel Gorge would help the city compete for the growing visitor economy. 

“It’s a massive vote of confidence for Launceston and where we are going as a city,” he said. 

“We do need that high level of interest at the moment and it is always a good thing to keep that momentum going. 

“This hotel is spot on for that.

“It is also a good example of making the most of Launceston’s natural heritage, and developing it in a way that doesn’t compete with what we already have, but rather compliments it. 

“It is about fixing the corners that need fixing.”

Mr Grose said the hotel’s design was also in line with trends towards five star offerings. 

“When we look at somewhere like Hobart, we know that it is the five star locations that are kept the busiest,” he said.  

“If we are going to compete for the visitor economy, this is exactly the sort of development we need to be supporting.”

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