Glenorchy City Council approves planning scheme amendment for tourism venture at Cadbury Factory

The Cadbury Factory’s plans to turn into a tourist mecca has received key backing, but the project’s mastermind says there is still ‘an enormous amount of approval process to go through’.

Plans for a new chocolate tourism experience near the Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart Tasmania. The proponent is tourism industry leader Simon Currant. Pictures: Cumulus Studio

Plans to spend $100m on a tourist attraction at Hobart’s Cadbury Factory have been given the all-clear by the council.

However, more steps will be required before the project – which is set to include the world’s largest chocolate fountain – can proceed.

The Glenorchy City Council agreed to prepare a planning scheme amendment that supports the tourist operation at the Cadbury Factory at Claremont.

Glenorchy Acting Mayor and Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Russell Yaxley. Picture: Supplied

“While there has not been a specific application to construct a visitor centre at the factory

to this point, this decision allows for the planning scheme to be amended to accommodate

a tourist-based visitor experience,” Glenorchy Acting Mayor Russell Yaxley said.

“The council will now prepare an amendment for consideration by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, with the public having the opportunity to make representations prior to that occurring.”

But Mr Yaxley said some challenges would need to be considered through a specific area plan.

“This will ensure the applicant has clarity in taking this forward, and the council has adequate ability to place necessary controls on any development.

“The visitor experience at Cadbury, as has been discussed, is an amazing concept.

“It will no doubt add to our city and bring economic gain – but it must be done really well and with a best-practice approach given the uniqueness of the site, considering the proximity to a residential area and the history of the Cadbury factory.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Chocolate Experience at Cadbury proponent Simon Currant at the Cadbury factory, Claremont. Picture: Chris Kidd

Simon Currant, the mastermind behind the project, welcomed the news.

“It’s just so nice to have a council that’s so onside with a local project, but it’s still a long way to go,” Mr Currant said.

“We have an enormous amount of approval process to go through, which are all normal, but take a lot of money.

“At the end of 2026, we’re hoping to commence the build and open in 2027.”

Mr Currant said he expected the predicted cost of the project to remain around $100m.

“And on top of that will be two passenger ferries, and the cost of these will be – in total – about $30m.”

He believed the project would have many benefits for Tasmania.

“It’s going to bring a lot of attention to Tasmania,” Mr Currant said.

“And we know from our research that the project will actually increase the number of visitors per year by around 30,000 because of it.

“The support from all areas – bipartisan support from the government and all the stakeholders, as well as the community – has been absolutely marvellous.”

Originally published as Glenorchy City Council approves planning scheme amendment for tourism venture at Cadbury Factory