Eden Project to build in Victoria as delays scuttle Macquarie Point bid

UPDATED: Months of uncertainty and a decision to pursue opportunities in Victoria have led to an eco-tourism giant ending plans to develop a major Antarctic project at Macquarie Point.

MONTHS of uncertainty and a decision to pursue opportunities in Victoria have led to a European eco-tourism giant foregoing plans to develop a major Antarctic project at Macquarie Point.

It was reported this week that environmental charity the Eden Project, world renowned for its domed visitor centre in Cornwall, was intending to build an attraction in Victoria.

The Eden Project had proposed an Antarctic-themed experience for Hobart, which was described as being in the advanced design stages in mid-2017.

An Eden Project spokesman on Friday night cited delays at Macquarie Point for the decision.

“Given the significant time delays in deciding the future of Macquarie Point in Hobart, it was inevitable that other opportunities would arise in Australia,” he said.

“We have always believed that establishing a scientific research centre alongside an Eden Project and other attractions to engage the public with Antarctica’s stories, history and science would create compelling reasons to visit Hobart.”

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Visitors arrive at the Eden Project in the United Kingdom. Picture: Getty

Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive officer Mary Massina said on Friday it had always been willing to consider a business case by the company.

“It is for Eden to decide where it chooses to develop and regardless of other projects they may pursue, we still see potential opportunities for them at MacPoint, which would tie in well to the Antarctic and science precinct,” she told the Mercury.

“While there have been constructive discussions with the Eden Project over several years, there has been no commercial business case put to the government or the corporation.

“As in the past, the corporation remains open to considering any well-developed plan and supporting business case the Eden Project may wish to submit.

“Any proposal will require justification and rigorous due diligence before it can be considered.”

Macquarie Point chief Mary Massina. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Eden plans to open centres on every continent except Antarctica, founder Dr Tim Smit previously said.

Eden’s interest in Hobart came after an approach from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

“MPDC contacted Eden as they were seeking a flagship/anchor for the mixed use development,” an Eden statement said at the time.

“This project fits with Eden’s ethos as it will transform a polluted, discarded site.”

Labor’s infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said it was the role of the corporation to pursue development, not to “sit back and wait for developers to come to them”.

“When will Peter Gutwein, the Treasurer, intervene and fix this mess,” he said of Macquarie Point generally.

“It’s not good enough for him to sit back and watch Macquarie Point fumble along. It’s embarrassing for the state, it’s a missed economic opportunity — we need to do more.”

Co-Founder of the Eden Project Tim Smit in Hobart. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

In Anglesea, Victoria, a $150 million eco-tourism attraction will be built at the site of a former coal mine.

There are plans for an artificial lake and tourism centre to teach about the environment and climate change.

Eden Project International’s David Harland told the Herald Sunthe ­attraction would focus on the “indigenous concept of fire, water, air and earth”.

It would also include retail and catering areas.

Mr Harland said the company’s plans would only go ahead with local support, and would likely be bankrolled by “social investment”.

“If the local people say to us ‘We really, really don’t want this,’ well, why would we come?” Mr Harland said

“This is not something that we want to force on people.”

The Eden Project said it hoped the Victorian attraction would open in late 2023 or early 2024.