TAMWORTH tourism has deep roots in country music, but a $2.3 million push to tap into outer space is taking off.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After 18 months of ground work, the Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club’s plan for an observatory and science education centre at Victoria Park has been shortlisted for NSW government funding.
Club vice-president, Garry Copper, says there will be nothing like in the North West and interstate interest in the interstellar is already bubbling.
“The project is to build a roll-off roof observatory, which a large structure which hold up to a dozen telescopes or so,” Mr Copper said.
“Beside that we will have the astronomy and science education centre.
“And at the back of that there’ll be a planetarium.”
Nothing is locked in at this point, but Mr Copper said the project is highly anticipated across the country.
RELATED STORIES:
- TAMWORTH’S on track to become a mecca for amateur astronomers, with the city’s first astronomy club up and running and planning underway for a star gazing centre in Victoria Park.
- THE Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club may still be in its infancy, but it can now lay claim to two of the largest privately owned telescopes in Australia
“We’ve already had astronomers from Melbourne interested in talking to us,” he said.
“Some of the Newcastle clubs are looking for an area to hold astro-fests and that sort of thing.
“We’ve got quite a bit of interest already and we don’t even have a facility yet.”
While Coonabarabran already has a significant reputation as an astronomy hub, Mr Copper says the Tamworth proposal is one of a kind.
“Ours will be a public facility,” he said.
“I think Coonabarabran got a display area, but it’s basically a research facility, so it’s a bit limited in that regard, but they’ve got a bit more gear then us.”
The project is seeking funding in the first round of the Regional Growth Tourism and Environment Fund, with $100 million up for grabs.
The Leader understands there are about 50 projects across the state which have been shortlisted for funding.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the observatory would have a particular benefit for local schools, with its education component.
“There’s a lot of work to be done yet, but this speaks volumes for what the organisation is trying to do and how important it’s going to be for Tamworth for tourism and stargazers right across the North West,” he said.
The club now has until October to submit a detailed proposal for funding and Mr Anderson believes a determination will be made by the end of 2017.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
