MAC POINT PARK MOVE
RECONCILIATION PLAN FORGES AHEAD
WORK could begin on a reconciliation-themed park at Macquarie Point in 12 months as the site forges ahead with its Mona-inspired vision.
An interim Truth and Reconciliation Park will be discus- sed with Aboriginal and wider communities over the next 12 months as plans are put in place to produce a final design.
Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief Mary Massina, left, said a formal partnership with Aboriginal groups would be established to guide the development of the prime city site.
“Whilst that formal process is under way ... the corporation is committed to an in- terim park,” Ms Massina said.
“What we’re looking at is a space where the Aboriginal community can look at hosting events such as NAIDOC or Reconciliation weeks.”
WORK could begin on a reconciliation-themed park at Macquarie Point in 12 months as the site forges ahead with its Mona-inspired vision.
An interim Truth and Reconciliation Park will be discussed with the Aboriginal and wider communities over the next 12 months as plans are put in place to produce a final design.
Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) chief Mary Massina said a formal partnership with Aboriginal groups would be established to guide the development of the prime city site.
“Whilst that formal process is under way, in terms of the discussion around how it looks and feels, the corporation is committed to an interim park,” Ms Massina told the Mercury.
“You’ll see signs of that within the next 12 months.
“What we’re looking at is a space where the Aboriginal community can look at hosting events such as NAIDOC or Reconciliation weeks.”
Expressions of interest will be called for in coming months for the partnership group, which will come up with a design brief for the final Truth and Reconciliation Art Park.
Macquarie Point will also be part of a Monash University international study into how memorial projects can be best developed.
“It will have some key learnings for Macquarie Point in how it’s best to develop such an important and nationally significant park as the Truth and Reconciliation Art Park,” Ms Massina said.
The park was the centrepiece of the Mona redesign of the site first released in 2016.
Planning issues around the nearby sewerage works and meetings with stakeholders have taken precedence since but the park is set to be the MPDC’s next priority.
Its final version is likely to be boosted by a City Deal with the Federal Government which is also expected to include an Antarctic precinct at Macquarie Point.
The MPDC was likely to become the first major organisation in Tasmania to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan and would begin hosting forums on the topic this year, Ms Massina said.
“It’s about building a sense of ownership for the space whilst we work through the design brief with the partnership and whilst we work with Monash University in terms of the creation of a park,” she said.
Aboriginal leaders had cautiously welcomed the Mona vision but sought more involvement in the decisionmaking processes.
Long-time activist Michael Mansell said the project could build on the momentum of the recent debate over the date of Australia Day.
“There were concerns about the way it was done but the concept was always something that we supported,” Mr Mansell said.
“All the parties are moving ahead on it.”
Mona’s Leigh Carmichael, who co-ordinated the museum’s role in the redesign, said the possibility of a City Deal meant the vision was getting closer to reality.
“It’s the first sign the Federal Government are taking this seriously,” he said.
“There’s clearly work going on behind the scenes to ensure that site is developed and that it heads in the direction that the people want.”
Ms Massina said planning documents aimed at clarifying the site’s development potential would be lodged soon.