Launceston could be the future home of a world-class artificial surfing and whitewater facility.
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A project participating in the Great Regional City Challenge is seeking $10,000 to commission an independent report into the benefits such a facility would bring to Northern Tasmania.
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Surf City Project lead Adam Dickenson said stationary surf wave technology and design had advanced significantly in recent years.
"Paddle Tasmania members have travelled extensively in their pursuit of whitewater kayaking competition and adventure," he said.
"Our first hand experience of man-made river surfing and whitewater facilities while overseas, has given us the confidence that the world's best facilities can be created in the Launceston region."
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Mr Dickenson said the conversion of irrigation and hydro weirs was a very cost effective method to build whitewater surf facilities.
He said that Lyons Park Hadspen, the Mill Dam Reserve at Longford or the Cataract Gorge First Basin among other areas were suitable for such a facility.
"The engineering firm Whitewater Parks International, designers of Olympic Whitewater Facilities, have conducted initial inspections of these sites and have deemed them suitable for development," Mr Dickenson said.
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As opposed to commercial wave pools, Mr Dickenson said running a free whitewater surf facility would have almost no maintenance costs.
"These facilities will generate a huge brand boost to the region and significantly increase its liveability," Mr Dickenson said.
"River surfing and whitewater facilities consistently provide a significant boost to their regional economies, often generating over a one hundred percent return on investment.
"The 'Confluence Whitewater Park' constructed in central Denver, Colorado, created a thirty to fifty percent increase in real estate values in the surrounding suburbs.
"Boise, Idaho is an excellent example of a dangerous irrigation weir being converted into a 'wave shaper'."
The Surf City Project is one of many projects seeking funding through the Great Regional City Challenge.
Vote for projects online at the launcestontogether.com.au.