The City of Launceston has re-affirmed its support for the Launceston Gastronomy program, which is seeking to leverage opportunities from the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network was created in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities which have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable growth.
In 2021, seven Northern Councils agreed to fund Launceston’s UNESCO Creative Cities bid, and Launceston is now one of only 49 cities in the world to have achieved the designation.
Since the designation was announced in November last year, the Launceston Gastronomy program has collaborated on three pilot projects, developed a draft implementation and action plan, published a new website and has started work on preparing appropriate future metrics and reporting for the project.
At last week’s Council meeting, the City of Launceston voted to approve a $25,000 funding request from the program for the 2022/23 financial year.
Launceston Acting Mayor Danny Gibson said Launceston and the wider Northern Tasmanian region was widely recognised for the quality of its food and wine, and it’s UNESCO designation represented a significant opportunity.
“We know that people from across the world set out to visit UNESCO designated cities, because it is a recognised marker of very high standard,” Cr Gibson said.
“The work the Launceston Gastronomy program has already undertaken in partnership with Northern councils and our food producers is a very positive first step.
“We’ve seen events like agriCULTURED being developed to celebrate our agri-food sector, popular television shows like Channel 10’s MasterChef referencing Launceston’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and significant plans for a dedication fermentation hub in Northern Tasmania.
“I’m delighted there was unanimous support around the table for the Launceston Gastronomy program, which is aiming to build on existing strategic tourism plans from organisations like the City of Launceston, Visit Northern Tasmania and Tourism Tasmania.
“There is an array of exciting pathways open to our region through the UNESCO designation, allowing us to explore new export markets with our incredible regional produce, to deep dive into issues like food security and even to work with disadvantaged communities in our Northern suburbs to create new employment and education opportunities.”
“This latest round of funding for the next financial year is an opportunity for us to take those critical next steps, to work towards those economic, cultural, social and environmental opportunities which the UNESCO designation provides.”
