Sir Tim Smit, founder of The Eden Project, Cornwall, is proposing a similar installation (with a Tasmanian character) for Hobart’s Macquarie Point development site.
Sir Tim wants to work with Australia’s scientific and arts communities to create an experience that will “blow the socks” off its visitors.
The Eden Project in Cornwall is an eco-tourism facility. It includes a series of biodomes housing a rainforest, tree-top gardens, outdoor gardens, sculptures and interactive installations. It contains over 1000 different plant species from around the world.
The Cornwall project employs around 400 people and gives another 300 people the opportunity to volunteer.
Since opening to the public in 2001, it has attracted more than 18 million visitors and contributed more than £1.7 billion to the local economy.
The Hobart project, Sir Tim said, would be an Antarctic-themed installation designed specifically for Tasmania.
He told RenewEconomy:
“What we are seeking to achieve in Hobart is a science centre and artistic installation that draws upon the power of MONA.”
He told The Mercury:
“We refuse to produce a passive entertainment. When you go into Eden Hobart you will be entering into a contract that you are about to do a whole lot of stuff.
“There will be a lot of science, there will be a lot of experimental stuff, but ultimately what we are building is a scientific institution that rocks.”
Smit wants visitors to the centre to feel they have had their lives changed.
Sir Tim will appear WomAdelaide on Sat 11th March.
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has the responsibility of assessing the viability of the proposal and the possible economic benefits. It controls the development of the 9.3ha site between Hobart docks and the Regatta grounds and Cenotaph.
The Cornwall Eden Project has as an area for rock concerts and this would also be an element of a Tasmanian proposal.
Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive, Liz Jack, expressed the hope that the Eden Project would serve as a catalyst to activate the former railyards site.
References
http://macquariepoint.com/eden-hobart/
http://reneweconomy.com.au/eden-project-marrying-science-and-monas-art-in-hobart-47141/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-08/the-eden-project-bio-domes-proposed-for-hobart/7493176
Thanks to these people for the images
“The Eden Project established in 2000 in Cornwall, England. A modern botanical garden exploring the theme of sustainability” by A1personage at en.wikipedia – Own workTransferred from en.wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17254898
‘Sir Tim Smit, Chief Executive, Eden Project’ by University of Exeter from United Kingdom – Tim SmitUploaded by Magnus Manske, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22887381
‘The Biomes and Link building showing Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro‘ by Zero1752 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56192979
Tasmania Stories 
Leave a Reply