DarkLab’s Transformer won’t be ready until 2026 at the earliest
It’s been revealed DarkLab’s Transformer won’t be ready until 2026 at the earliest. Here’s what held up the project over the years.
Tasmania
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A major art installation, designed to draw visitors to the Huon Valley, won’t be ready until 2026 at the earliest, it can be revealed.
DarkLab’s Transformer, by American artist Doug Aitken, is described as a ‘never-ending kaleidoscope’, which ‘interacts with the landscape’.
It was announced more than five years ago, after severe fires tore through the Huon Valley.
The project was supposed to be a drawcard to get tourists visiting and spending in the Huon Valley, but over the years, progress has been limited to navigating the approvals process.
The updated website for the project now reveals exactly when Huon Valley residents can expect to benefit from the installation.
“Final planning and environmental approval have been secured as of April 2024,” the project’s website says.
“The project now proceeds to the detailed design stage with the intention of beginning construction by mid 2025. The build is then a 9-12 month process.”
Transformer was approved by the Huon Valley Council in May 2023, which was its second bid for approval after it was initially rejected in 2021.
Nearly a year later it cleared the final approvals hurdle, receiving the tick from Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife.
The approval came after claims the project was tied up in red tape.
According to the website, the project will provide $4.2m of value to the region during the construction phase and $4.8m once it’s complete.
It’s estimated the artwork will bring 30,000 visitors to the Huon Valley every year.
The project is expected to cost $10m, which includes the cost of development, the visitor’s centre and the car park.
The project has support from the state and federal government: initially it had secured $1.5m from the federal government and $500,000 from the state government. Extra funding of $2.2m was later promised in the 2021-22 state budget.
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