Triabunna Tomorrow Marine Precinct Infrastructure Project Plan

We’re working to develop a clear, achievable infrastructure Blueprint that supports Triabunna’s future as a vibrant marine precinct and gateway to Maria Island. Through collaboration with key stakeholders and the community, the project aims to:

• Improve safety for everyone in the marine precinct.

• Ensure the area works better for tourists, workers, and locals.

• Create purpose-led and mutually beneficial spaces.

• Increase port efficiency and reduce identified risks.

• Address basic infrastructure issues (e.g. parking, toilets).

• Honour and share the culture and history of this unique port town in ways that inspire pride and enjoyment.

• Enhance the visitor experience so people stay longer, spend more, and return.

What’s the ambition?

• To be a thriving, sought-after destination where local kids can build their futures close to home.

• To create a vibrant, year-round visitor scene.

• To drive sustainable growth, attracting business and property investment, supporting new vendors, services, events, and entertainment—leading to better amenities and more jobs.

The project is led by East Coast Tasmania Tourism (ECTT), with facilitation by Claudia Butler, an experienced collaborative planning specialist. ECTT is responsible for project governance and coordination, while Claudia is guiding the process to ensure it is inclusive, practical, and community-informed.

Governance is supported through a Project Group made up of representatives from key stakeholder groups, and an ECTT Subcommittee, which provides oversight, strategic direction, and ensures accountability throughout the project.

Triabunna Tomorrow is supported through the Strategic Regional Partnership, a collaborative funding initiative backed by the Tasmanian Government (via the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of State Growth), Break O’Day Council, Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, East Coast Tasmania Tourism, the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, and Regional Development Australia – Tasmania.

The Strategic Regional Partnership brings together regional partners to align efforts around local priorities and improve outcomes across Tasmania’s East Coast. As part of this initiative, the Tasmanian Government is investing more than $5.2 million into projects that support health services, education, youth employment, tourism, and infrastructure planning.

Triabunna Tomorrow is one of three tourism-specific projects supported under this funding. While connected through the Partnership, it is a stand-alone initiative focused specifically on future infrastructure planning and development in Triabunna. The project is locally led and community-informed, contributing to a broader vision for sustainable, place-based tourism and economic development on the East Coast.

The Triabunna Tomorrow Marine Precinct Infrastructure Plan builds directly on a series of earlier planning documents that have shaped the town’s development vision over the past decade. These include:

• Triabunna Tomorrow Urban Design Study Report (2016)

• Triabunna Tomorrow Streetscape Design Concept (2016)

• Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Harbour Master Plan (2018)

These documents identified key opportunities to enhance Triabunna’s streetscapes, public spaces, and marine infrastructure in line with its growing role as the gateway to Maria Island. The current project refines and updates these earlier ideas, translating them into a coordinated, prioritised infrastructure plan to guide investment and development over the short, medium, and long term.

The project group is made up of representatives from key stakeholder groups with a connection to Triabunna’s marine precinct. This includes government agencies, marine users, business operators, community groups, and the Aboriginal community.

Stakeholder representatives have been appointed in two ways:

• Direct appointments from organisations with existing structures (e.g. council, Parks & Wildlife, boat clubs)

• Expression of Interest (EOI) process for stakeholder groups without formal organisations (e.g. accommodation providers, general business, community members)

The goal is to ensure diverse perspectives are included and that the group reflects those most affected by, or contributing to, the future of Triabunna’s marine infrastructure.

Community involvement is a central part of the project. The process has been designed to ensure that local voices shape the plan and its priorities. In addition to stakeholder representation on the project group, broader community engagement activities will be held to gather input, test ideas, and ensure the final plan reflects local values and needs.

Opportunities to engage may include community conversations, surveys, drop-in sessions, and updates through local channels. The aim is to ensure the final Blueprint holds social licence—meaning it is informed by, supported by, and benefits the community it is designed to serve.

The project group will work collaboratively to develop the Marine Precinct Infrastructure Blueprint, guided by shared criteria and a commitment to consensus wherever possible. East Coast Tasmania Tourism (ECTT) provides oversight and governance through a dedicated Triabunna Tomorrow Subcommittee, which includes stakeholders with decision-making authority and project accountability.

If the project group cannot reach agreement on key issues, the Subcommittee—and ultimately the ECTT Board—may provide further direction. However, every effort will be made to resolve decisions collaboratively and inclusively before any top-down interventions are considered.

Once the infrastructure Blueprint is complete (Stage 2), the project will move into Stage 3: Preparing for Funding and Investment Efforts. This stage involves forming a coordinated plan that clarifies stakeholder roles and responsibilities, outlines potential shared funding approaches, and Blueprints key timelines. Together, these components aim to position the project for successful investment attraction.

This includes:

• Identifying who will take the lead and who works together to identify funding pathways and secure investment for priority projects

• Keeping the community informed and engaged during implementation

Stage 3 ensures the plan doesn’t just sit on a shelf—it becomes a working roadmap for real, place-based progress in Triabunna.