City of Clarence has welcomed the announcement of $1.67m in funding from the Australian Government’s Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, enabling the next major step in delivering an arts and cultural precinct at Rosny Farm.
The funding will support the development of a detailed Business Case and Master Plan for the transformation of the Rosny Farm site in line with the recently endorsed City Heart Plan.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the funding represents a significant endorsement of Clarence’s long-term vision for its city centre.
“This is a tremendous outcome for our community and a major step forward in realising a key part of the City Heart Plan,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“I would like to sincerely thank the Member for Franklin, Julie Collins MP for her advocacy in helping secure this grant.
“The Minister has been a great supporter of our cultural programs, exemplified through the $41,000 grant the Minister helped secure for the Clarence Jazz Festival in February next year through Festivals Australia.
“The Plan calls for a vibrant arts and cultural precinct at the heart of Rosny, and this funding allows us to fully explore how the Rosny Farm area can become that creative and cultural anchor for our city.”
The City Heart Plan identifies the Rosny Park–Kangaroo Bay area as the future cultural heart of Clarence. The new precinct will directly activate this vision by expanding the existing Rosny Farm site into a dynamic hub for creative industries, cultural expression, events, public life and youth activity.
The proposed precinct will look at the inclusion of new creative production facilities, performance and exhibition spaces, enhanced parklands, and a dedicated youth hub. It will also improve connections across Rosny Parklands, strengthening walkability between the CBD, Kangaroo Bay and existing cultural venues.
Mayor Blomeley said the importance of cultural and creative spaces for the community cannot be underestimated.
“Precincts like what we have planned not only bring in more people and events, but they are also great contributors to people’s wellbeing through fostering connection and providing a space for creativity and enjoyment.”
A key pillar of both the City Heart Plan and the precinct project is the integration of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture. The precinct will continue to be shaped through a Designing on Country process, led by Palawa cultural advisers.
“Embedding Tasmanian Aboriginal identity and storytelling into the heart of Clarence is central to the City Heart Plan,” Mayor Blomeley said. “This project gives us the opportunity to honour that commitment.”
City of Clarence will now begin a program of detailed design work, economic and cultural assessment, site investigations and community engagement.
This work will be undertaken in partnership with a wide network of collaborators, stakeholders and other cultural and industry leaders.
“The precinct will be a catalyst for creative industry growth, cultural tourism and community vitality,” Mayor Blomeley said. “It is a transformative opportunity to bring people together, create jobs and strengthen Clarence’s identity as a cultural leader.”
Extensive community engagement will begin later this year, ensuring residents, creatives and young people help shape the final design.
“We’re thrilled to have secured this funding and look forward to working closely with our community and partners to bring the City Heart vision to life,” Mayor Blomeley said.