Media release – Simon Currant and Associates, 10 March 2024
World’s ultimate chocolate experience will be a celebration of Tasmania
A new chocolate experience project will bring back to life one of Tasmania’s most beloved attractions and deliver the world’s ultimate chocolate experience on the Cadbury Factory waterfront parklands.
The project combines 15 years of research and collaboration by Simon Currant and Associates in conjunction with Cadbury to bring a world of chocolate delights, wonder and excitement, incorporating the world’s tallest ‘glass and a half’ Chocolate Fountain and a bespoke Chocolate Studio making chocolates featuring the delectable flavours of Tasmanian ingredients.
The experience will embrace a century of Cadbury’s history within the immersive 3D Time Tunnel. Visitors can craft personalised chocolates in the ‘build your own bar’ experience from ‘milk to wrapper’, enjoy the parkland cafe and playground, and savour the epitome of indulgence in the decadent Chocolate Lounge, featuring degustation dessert dining. The experience culminates in the world’s largest chocolate emporium, inviting you to sample an abundant array of chocolate tastings.
The experience will be Tasmania’s most visited attraction, injecting an additional $120 million into the visitor economy each year and generating over 300 jobs through construction and over 200 jobs on completion, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
“This is a uniquely Tasmanian story that embraces provenance, innovation and artisan chocolate production with the entire state sharing in the benefits,” Mr Currant said.
The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will be home to a Chocolate Studio which will manufacture uniquely Tasmania-branded bespoke chocolates with ingredients from Tasmanian growers and producers, elevating Tasmania into a new market. The Studio will support education partnerships, career pathways, and school work experience opportunities.
Access to the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will be via the Derwent on two new purpose-built, themed electric ferries built in Hobart and operated by Navigators, arriving at a new Claremont ferry terminal.
Cadbury Claremont is the largest chocolate factory in the southern hemisphere, producing over 65,000 tonnes and 200 million blocks of chocolate annually, with over 450 staff and using 130 million litres of milk from over 50 north west Tasmanian dairy farms.
“Cadbury is already a loved and valued contributor to the Tasmanian economy. The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will elevate it even further and add a new experience element, ensuring its sustainability and vibrance into the future.”
The project will beautify the Claremont waterfront, provide a new jetty terminal, public walkways into the parkland, and extend the Hobart Foreshore cycleway to Claremont.
The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will begin construction next year and welcome its first guest the following year. The project will cost around $100 million.
Two local businesses, Cumulus and Art Processors, will be responsible for the design and creative work for the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury.
Mr Currant thanked the Liberals for committing to support and invest in the Tasmanian visitor economy.
www.chocolateexperienceatcadbury.com.au
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Minister for State Development, Trade and the Antarctic, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Member for Braddon
A Strong Plan For A Sweet Tourism Experience
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will unlock the greatest thing to happen to tourism since MONA with the new Chocolate Experience at Cadbury to hit Tasmania’s tourism scene.
As part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will partner with tourism pioneer Simon Currant to deliver his vision for the world’s ultimate chocolate experience.
The new experience will sit alongside Cadbury on the Derwent River, offering the next generation of Tasmanians and visitors alike our sweetest tourism offering yet.
It will have the world’s largest chocolate fountain, a Tasmanian premium chocolate studio, a chocolate lab with a make your own chocolate bar, a chocolate emporium, café, playground and so much more.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said tourism was a key part of his 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
“Tourism has been one of Tasmania’s single greatest transformative sectors of the past decade, and our Government has backed it every step of the way,” Premier Rockliff said.
“Tourism has rewritten attitudes about how Australia and the world sees Tasmania, and importantly it has shaped how we define ourselves.
“We talk a lot about the cultural and economic lift of the MONA effect, but it’s important that we keep investing, growing, changing and giving visitors even more reasons to visit Tasmania and spend their money in our cities and regions.
“This will re-write the ‘must-see’ list for every visitor that comes to Tasmania; hug a Tassie devil, sip wine on Wineglass, stroll Salamanca, climb Cradle, and cap that all off with the sweetest experience of them all at the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury.
“Importantly, the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury is expected to be a huge economic driver for our tourism sector, and our State as a whole.
“It’s expected the project will create around 300 jobs in construction, 200 jobs on completion and a $120 million boost in annual economic activity.
“Every year, tourism contributes around $3.96 billion into the Tasmanian economy and it employs more than 37,000 Tasmanians. This has grown exceptionally on our watch.
“We are continuing our strong backing of our tourism industry to ensure that our visitors stay longer, see more of our state, and spend more while they are here, supporting local businesses and jobs right across Tasmania.
“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania will continue to support tourism, and the city and regional communities that rely on it.”
Under this policy we will invest $2 million over 18 months to progress planning, designs, approvals, and get to shovel ready.
Another $2 million will be invested over 18 months to progress early-stage works on the site including but not limited to public walkways, public cycle infrastructure and headworks.
Subject to the achievement of agreed milestones, up to a further $8 million investment for the precinct will be made available.
Media release – Master Builders Tasmania, 10 March 2024
Chocolate Experience a sugar hit for builders
Master Builders Tasmania CEO, David Clerk, has thrown his support behind the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury proposal.
Mr Clerk said it would support the building and construction sector at a very important time.
“This project will start just after major construction of the Bridgewater Bridge concludes and just before construction on the Macquarie Point Stadium begins,” Mr Clerk said.
“It’s perfect timing and will create around 300 direct jobs in our industry.
“It’s incredibly important to make sure our pipeline of infrastructure projects is managed strategically to avoid boom-bust cycles and this project will fill the gap between the Bridge and the Stadium perfectly.
“We also need unique projects like this to help attract and retain workers in our state.”
Mr Clerk said that it was vital to increase the building and construction workforce from 25,000 currently to around 40,000 so Tasmania has the capacity to deliver projects like this as well as the roads, commercial facilities and houses that we also need.
“This is another great project that will benefit from our High Vis Army that already has the support of Labor and the Liberals.”
Media release – Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, 10 March 2024
Chocolate experience a sweet success for tourism
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania has welcomed the Liberals’ commitment to support a massive project for Tasmania’s visitor economy.
TICT CEO, Amy Hills, says the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will be a game changer for the sector.
“The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury hits a sweet spot for the visitor economy,” Ms Hills said.
“This will quickly become one of Tasmania’s biggest attraction for locals and visitors alike with over 450,000 people expected to visit every year.
“Importantly, this is a Tasmanian product, led by one of our tourism icons, Simon Currant.
“Simon has given Tasmania incredible destinations like Pump House Point and Peppermint Bay. His track record at delivering for our state is second-to-none and this is shaping up as his most incredible concept destination yet.
“The whole experience will celebrate what makes Tasmania such an amazing place, making our produce, people and place the star attraction.
“This will be a nationally significant attraction that will provide a massive boost to the entire sector and the entire state.”
Media release – TCCI, 10 March 2024
Chocolate experience to boost business
The TCCI is the voice of business in Tasmania and has welcomed the Liberals’ commitment to boost business by supporting the Chocolate Experience at Cadbury.
TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said it was vital for the next government to encourage business.
“The Chocolate Experience at Cadbury will boost businesses right around the state,” Mr Bailey said.
“From dairy farmers on the north-west to berry growers in the south, the whole state will benefit.
“This is such a smart investment by the Liberals because it will support agriculture, tourism, hospitality and many other sectors as well as generate new markets for Tasmania.
“It ticks all the boxes and will support over 300 construction jobs and 200 ongoing jobs.
“We urge the Labor Party to back in this project with bipartisan support.”
Media release – Tasmanian Hospitality Association, 10 March 2024
THA backs sweet recipe for success
Cadbury, an iconic name synonymous with quality chocolate, has long been a treasured part of Tasmania’s heritage.
Sunday’s announcement of visionary Simon Curran’s exciting new Chocolate Experience now has Cadbury poised to further cement its status as a must-visit destination on the island and provide a big injection into the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association recognises the significant positive impact this new venture will have on the hospitality industry. As visitors flock to indulge in the immersive chocolate journey promised by Cadbury, local businesses stand ready to cater to their needs, providing accommodation, dining, and entertainment options that showcase the best of Tasmanian hospitality.
“The proposed Chocolate Experience at Cadbury’s is a sweet addition to the landscape of our industry,” THA chief executive Steve Old said.
“We eagerly anticipate the economic boost it will bring and the joy it will bring to chocolate lovers far and wide.
“There is no doubt this has the potential to have the same impact on Tasmania as MONA, and will provide further incentive for visitors to include the state on their travel bucket lists.”
Editor’s note: we found these images and the featured image above on Twitter. Thanks to @volatilerose @LucyCB_T @tazbandicoot
