Lonnie’s tasty bid for fame

LAUNCESTON could make a bid for UNESCO recognition as a global Creative City for Gastronomy as it seeks to become famous nationally, and beyond, for its food and wine.

While proponents of the idea stress that it’s still in its infancy and could take “several years” to come to fruition, the north is already banking on agriculture to drive future regional growth.

The State Government is due to report back to the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation before the end of the month on an economic development plan for the region.

And a cornerstone of the vision is becoming known beyond Tasmania's shores for fine produce and premium agriculture, NTDC chief executive Maree Tetlow said.

"It's one thing for us to talk about it, it's another thing to make our reputation known more broadly," Ms Tetlow said.

"We don't want to be like somewhere else. We want to develop our own identity."

Research has already highlighted a need for Northern Tasmania to grow its exports — the region has an annual net trade deficit of more than $1 billion — and population, with the North projected to have 5000 fewer people of working age by 2031.

The National Institute of Economic and Industry Research identified food and agriculture as the biggest opportunity for the North to grow exports.

“(The UNESCO bid) is an idea a few of us are developing and it’s at a very early stage,” Andrew Pitt, chairman of Cityprom, which markets the Launceston CBD, said.

“But the process you go through is a benefit because it gets people talking.”

Mr Pitt said an application for UNESCO recognition would help formalise Launceston’s emerging identity as a centre for food and wine and link the region to others in the world known for premium agriculture.

However, at this stage, NTDC has no plans to create a dedicated brand for northern Tasmania.

Instead, Ms Tetlow said the region would leverage Tasmania’s existing brand and encourage northern producers to market based on their origins.

Australia has four members of the UNESCO creative cities network: Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Geelong.