Burnie Gateway Project
Burnie Gateway Project
Project type: pataway/Burnie Gateway Commission
Project commencement: March 2023
Contractor name: GHD with Geoff Farquhar-Still and David Hamilton
Completion Date: 31 July 2024
Project Details
Burnie City Council is working on two exciting projects under the banner of Burnie Beats to find and create the beating heart of Burnie by revitalising the CBD and entries to the city.
The pataway/ Burnie Gateway Commission will assist council to beautify and improve the visual aesthetic of the entrance to the city.
The gateway, that will be located in between the Bass Highway dual carriageway at Wilson Street (opposite Bunny Island), will instantly identify the entrance to the city, promote a sense of arrival, complement the existing surrounds and convey a clear community identity.
Concept designs were presented by two creative teams, Emu Island by Futago and Welcome Gesture by Geoff Farquhar-Still and David Hamilton. Workshops with the local community were held to find out what people loved most about pataway/Burnie with feedback received used by the creative teams in the development of their designs.
Concept designs, including 3D models were put on display in the council foyer and shared via the council website and social media in July 2023. The community gained further insight from video interviews with each creative team who explained how they drew inspiration from the community and local history.
The community were invited to vote on the designs and provide feedback. 282 responses were received with over half voting for Welcome Gesture. Council’s appointed CBD Reference Group, made up of community representatives recommended Welcome Gesture as the preferred design, which was then endorsed by Elected Members.
Image: Welcome Gesture by Geoff Farquhar-Still and David Hamilton (artist impression)
Responses received from the community express enthusiasm for the gateway, “I like how bright and vibrant it is and I love the welcoming hand that it represents. It's warm and a great statement piece”. Comments highlighted how the gateway celebrates pataway/Burnie’s creative heart and announces arrival to the city, “impressive both day and night the Welcome Gesture draws the attention to art on arrival and thus suits our City of Makers”.
The pataway/Burnie Gateway Commission presents a significant public art opportunity for the city and state and Burnie City Council are proud to support Hamilton and Farquhar-Still, recognising the valuable contribution that artists and creatives make to place-making.
Local businesses, The Engineering Company, AJ&M Construction and CSE Tasmania are working with Hamilton and Farquhar-Still to build and install the gateway. Landscape design has been provided by J Formed Landscape Design with advice on Indigenous planting from Pakana Ranger and Land Manager, Brendan Lowery of One Tree at a Time.
With the gateway complementing broader revitalisation initiatives for the city centre Welcome Gesture, which will be completed in July 2024 furthers Council’s vision to make pataway/Burnie a great place to live and visit.
This project is funded by a grant from the Tasmanian Government.