CSIRO site could be next jewel in crown

CONVERTING the CSIRO’S prime waterfront location to a new convention centre could be Hobart’s worst kept secret.

A Senate Inquiry report released on Monday calls for Hobart to become Australia’s Antarctic science and tourism hub. That plan includes shifting the CSIRO to Macquarie Point’s planned Antarctic precinct.

That move would free up the CSIRO’s current prime waterfront location in Hobart’s Castray Esplanade.

The Tasmanian Hospitality Association has thrown its weight behind the idea of a convention centre, with general manager Steve Old saying the site is arguably the best real estate in Tasmania.

“We’re very lucky with the conference [facilities] at Grand Chancellor and Wrest Point but to keep up with the rest of Australia we need to have a world class centre,” he said.

However, Mr Old said more money needed to be invested in the events sector to complement any such convention centre.

“The business events market is a massive market. It brings people to the state and they come back for a holiday later.”

It is hoped a new convention centre would fit up to 2500 guests.

KPMG has started a feasibility study for a new convention centre in the state, and the findings are due to be revealed in September or October.

Former Business Events Tasmania chief Stuart Nettlefold said last month that a new centre for conferences could add $100 million a year in visitor spending.

New Business Events Tasmania chief Marnie Craig would not divulge specific op- tions for a new conference centre.

“It could be a new premises or upgrading an existing premises,” she said.

Mr Old said the CSIRO building could also serve as a hotel with bars and eateries.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief Luke Martin has said the site could include restaurants, cafes, bars and events.

Mr Martin said yesterday the tourism council would reveal its ideas for the site in about two weeks.

“It’s a big site so there would be a range of mixed uses,” he said.

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said there had to be a focus on public space, not a commercial space for the site, and that the community needed to be consulted.