Tasmania's potential to be a world leading heritage tourism destination will be front and centre for the new Chairperson of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
Today the Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage Matthew Groom announced that one of Tasmania's most visionary thinkers in adaptive reuse and tourism, Ms Brett Torossi, will take up the position as Chairperson.
"I am extremely pleased to make this appointment. Heritage experts have long recognised that Tasmania's built heritage will be better protected if we can become world-leaders in adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, particularly for tourism," Mr Groom said.
Mr Groom said the Liberal State Government is committed to ensuring our built heritage is appropriately protected.
"One of the best ways to protect built heritage is through adaptive reuse. Historic buildings which sit idle are the most likely to fall into disrepair and we have unfortunately seen examples of that in the past."
"Cities and states across the world are increasingly discovering the benefits of heritage tourism in attracting visitors and creating jobs, as well as ensuring historic buildings are preserved.
"We see examples of this in Tasmania, with developments such as Pumphouse Point, but the Government and Ms Torrosi share a belief that Tasmania can truly become a world leader in heritage tourism.
"Brett Torossi has shown herself over many years to be a visionary thinker in combining preservation of heritage with new opportunities in tourism. She brings to the role extensive experience across historic cultural heritage, planning, tourism development, legislation and governance.
"As Chairperson of the Heritage Council, she will use that experience and her relationships to facilitate opportunities that balance investment in our historic heritage with the kind of adaptive reuse opportunities that enhances and protect our heritage assets."
Ms Torossi said she has always sought to balance the recognition and protection of built and cultural heritage with sensitive development.
"This has been a cornerstone of my professional life for the past 20 years," Ms Torossi said.
"It's about appreciating and understanding the value to the community of a building or place over its full life and how that dynamic relationship changes over time. You are always looking to conserve and protect that heritage within appropriate development."
"Tasmania's heritage is one of our greatest assets. The Liberal Government believes it should be used and celebrated to ensure it remains for future generations to enjoy, and we look forward to working with Ms Torossi to deliver these outcomes."
Ms Torossi has more than 20 years' experience creating and delivering commercially successful residential, commercial and tourism property developments, including the award winning Avalon City Retreat and the Rocky Hills Retreat.
She is renowned for finding innovative solutions to problems and creating and taking business opportunities.
Ms Torossi holds a number of roles across public, private and community Boards including being a Trustee of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Member of the Tasmanian Development, Tourism Tasmania and Australian Festival of Voices Boards. She is also currently a Commissioner of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, a position from which she will stand down to take on this role.
The Heritage Council is a statutory body with responsibility for the administration of the Historic Cultural Heritage Act and the establishment of the Tasmanian Heritage Register.
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