Hobart to get a $50 million hotel and hospitality training school
Big news for Tasmania’s booming hospitality industry: Clarence City Council has approved plans to create a world-class waterfront hotel and a hospitality training school on the Eastern Shore.
The council gave the company behind the $50 million project, Hunter Developments, preferred development status.
That’s the first hurdle cleared.
Now the company has to lodge a formal development application in six weeks after the submission of technical reports to council.
Hunter has teamed up with Chinese petrochemical company Chambroad to build the 120-room hotel, TasTAFE tertiary level hospitality training school and a ferry pier.
It’s all part of an agreement between the council, the Co-ordinator General John Perry and Chambroad. It’s the first agreement of its kind in Tasmania.
Hunter Developments director Robert Morris-Nunn said the project was distinctive.
And the design itself is special: it is shaped like a ship’s hull with a traditional Chinese “cracked ice” façade.
The hotel’s design provides uninterrupted views across the River Derwent all the way to Mt Wellington.
“The ship’s hull is a visual metaphor for the launching of a unique new tourism and education venture and one that has the potential to fundamentally redefine and transform Tasmania’s tourism industry,” Professor Morris-Nunn told the Hobart Mercury.
Clarence mayor Doug Chipman made it quite clear that Hunter Developments was the company to go with. The council and the State Government assessment panel had recommended it get the preferred developer
“Our vision is that Kangaroo Bay be an inclusive place for both residents and visitors,” Mr Chipman told the Mercury. “It provides one of the most attractive harbourside vistas in Tasmania.”
The plan will see hospitality students studying and work throughout the hotel and in formal lecture theatres. It will cater for both Chinese and Tasmanian students.
It is being built after almost a year of discussions between TasTAFE and Chambroad.
by Leon Gettler, October 18th 2016
