Caretakers’ cautious approval for Dark Park alternative, but opposition from RSL

UPDATED: The planned alternative to Dark Park has received a cautious approval from the caretakers of the area.

Lighthorse rider David Thomas after the Centenary Commemoration of the first planting on Soldiers Memorial Avenue on the Queens Domain. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

UPDATED: PEOPLE visiting Dark Path on the Domain during this year’s Dark Mofo festival have been urged to be respectful of the Soldiers Memorial Avenue.

Hobart City Council voted on Monday to make the alternative to Dark Park a reality, and will provide almost $500,000 in funding to Dark Mofo.

The Dark Path will start at the Bridge of Remembrance, travel up through the Soldiers Memorial Avenue and around in a loop.

Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue president Stephen Carey said he expected people to act respectfully on the path, and “be mindful of the fact that it is a remembrance site”.

“We generally are supportive of the concept because it will heighten public awareness of the avenue, but we do have some concerns at the possibility of damage,” Mr Carey said.

“We just want to be involved to ensure that there’s a proper risk assessment, and that any identified [risks] that might relate to the plaques, and more importantly the trees, that there’s some proper mitigation process in place.”

Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue president Stephen Carey at the Bridge of Remembrance, which will mark the start of Dark Path. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Carey said the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue had been initially disappointed that they weren’t involved in the project, but now there is an understanding that they will be involved.

“We’ll make sure [risks are] identified, it will be a matter for the Mofo organisation and the council to mitigate the risks because we’re just the caretakers and it’s really council property,” he said.

“There was talk of fire pits, we’re a bit concerned about that and how they’re going to mitigate any risks from those.

“Their idea of putting shipping containers at the start of the avenue to store equipment, we’re concerned about that and to make sure it doesn’t compress the ground around trees and compromise trees.

“We’re just concerned that no damage is done, but generally we’ve got no issue with the actual avenue being used.”

RSL Tasmania acting president Geoff Leitch said he did not support the path.

“The RSL is not for it due to the fact that it’s a sacred area, in that it’s a living memorial to the soldiers of the First World War,” Mr Leitch said.

“Nobody knows the number of people that will be going through and whether or not they would be sticking to the paths is something to worry about — whether they’re going to walk all over the whole area.”

One of the installations at Dark Park during last year’s Dark Mofo. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

A spokesman for Dark Path said the event would comply with all council requirements in order to protect the site.

“We are engaged in stakeholder consultation with local residents and groups, and work closely with Bushlands and Park and Recreation to ... protect the Soldiers’ Memorial Ave site and its heritage.”

EARLIER: THE most popular event at Dark Mofo — Dark Park — will now be called Dark Path and be held at the Domain.

Hobart City Council has voted 10-2 to make the alternative to Dark Park a reality.

It will provide almost $500,000 in funding to Dark Mofo.

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael said the idea behind the new name was simple.

“The idea is Dark Park was an industrial park,” he said.

“But what we are doing on the Domain is creating a path starting at the Bridge of Remembrance, walking up through the Soldiers Memorial Avenue and around in a loop right into the gardens.

“We are creating a path to explore that goes through a forest at night.

“We hope it will be enticing, interesting and alluring to families.”

Mr Carmichael said while Dark Mofo was the organiser of the festival it belonged to the city and welcomed the financial aid.

The large-scale art project will cost about $1 million.

The council will provide $150,000 in cash to support Winter Feast plus a further $131,000 for a free public art installation across the Domain.

The council will also provide in-kind support of $184,000 to the festival.

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It’s costing us about $180,000 just to light the Domain and make it safe,” Mr Carmichael said

“The council’s contribution [$131,000] doesn’t even cover the amount of money it costs to turn it on.”

Mr Carmichael indicated it could be a three-year project, depending on the response to this year’s event.

He hoped to partner with the council in the future to invest in permanent pathways and infrastructure across the Domain

Alderman Peter Sexton moved the amendment to include the $131,000 funding.

He argued that $500,000 was very good value when you consider the council spends more than double that on the Taste of Tasmania.

“It activates the Domain including the Bridge of Remembrance,” he said.

“We are supporting a free event and introducing the public to art.”

Councillor Mike Dutta and Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnett, both voted against the motion.

“I don’t think it’s fiscally responsible,” Cr Burnet said.