A new initiative from Tasman Council centres around celebrating the joys of regional living.
The friendly and easily accessible Tasman region, located on Tasmania’s southeast coast, starts less than an hour from Hobart and spans both the Forestier Peninsula and Turrakana/Tasman Peninsula. This perfect region is flanked by coastal cliffs, idyllic beaches, native tree forests and countryside of undulating hills. It attracts those looking for a sea change and a quieter lifestyle.
Originally home to the Pydarerme people, followed by the many convicts who went on to forge our nation, the Tasman region evolved to be known as a natural escape and a quality place to live, work and play without the hustle and bustle, traffic or pollution of urban living.
Tasman Council hosted its inaugural THINK TASMAN event in Hobart in October 2024, bringing together an impressive audience of local leaders, parliamentarians, business professionals, developers, investors and producers. The event shone a spotlight on the Tasman region’s finest products, entrepreneurial spirit and vision for the future with an engaging program that blended thought-provoking insights and an unforgettable culinary journey.
Tasman Mayor, Cr Rod Macdonald, highlighted the council’s focus on supporting local businesses.
“The evening substantiated the Tasman Council’s commitment to supporting the region’s local industries and fostering future investments, with an outstanding program that featured guest speakers and an unforgettable culinary experience,” said Mayor Macdonald.
Uniting visionaries and innovators
The THINK TASMAN event was designed to strengthen ties between the region’s business community, stakeholders and potential investors while showcasing what makes Tasman unique. Todd Babiak, CEO of Brand Tasmania, served as the evening’s charismatic emcee, setting a vibrant and welcoming tone. His ability to weave the evening’s themes of community, innovation and opportunity resonated deeply with attendees.
Among the event’s key moments was a presentation by Andrew Crane from Tasmania’s Office of the Coordinator General. Focusing on economic growth, the presentation underscored the importance of highlighting Tasmania’s point of difference and the collaboration between local industries and external partners. It was a powerful reminder of how interconnected efforts can propel a regional area to new heights, solidifying the Tasman’s reputation as a hub of quality production and innovation.
Feast for the senses
This event celebrated the Tasman region’s extraordinary culinary offerings. Executive Chef, Simon Pockran, crafted an exquisite menu that perfectly captured the region’s essence featuring the finest local ingredients. Each course was a testament to the Tasman’s producer’s dedication to sustainable and high-quality production.
“Showcasing Tasman’s best, Simon crafted dishes featuring local seafood, chicken, beef, lamb, honey, mustard, pears, vegetables and chocolate, each artfully paired with an impressive selection of local ciders, gin, wines and whisky. These carefully curated elements highlighted Tasman’s unique flavours, paying homage to the region’s commitment to sustainable, quality production”, Mayor Macdonald said.
“The food tonight truly reflects the heart of Tasman,” said one attendee. “Every bite and sip told a story of the region’s heritage and its commitment to excellence.”
The event’s successes were also attributed to the generosity of local producers and to the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart who professionally supported the evening. Each participating business featured in the printed menu booklets, telling the story of the people behind the produce. This booklet is available on the Tasman Council website.
An inspiring message
“The success of Think Tasman signals an exciting future for the region and it reinforces the Council’s focus to foster collaboration among stakeholders in driving regional growth,” said Mayor Macdonald. “Our aim is for people to THINK TASMAN as the perfect place to live, work, play and do business.”
The Mayor’s words reflected the event’s overarching mission: to inspire attendees to see the Tasman region not just as a beautiful place to visit but as a vibrant, thriving community full of potential.
The Tasman region has a seasonal population of about 2,700 full-time residents and swells to over 9,000 in summer. The region relies heavily on seasonal tourism, aquaculture and agriculture. Tasman Council has adopted a doughnut economy approach, which is pivotal in fostering long-term economic resilience. The doughnut economy focuses on balancing essential human needs with the planet’s ecological limits and aligns well with the region’s strengths – local produce, sustainable practices and community-centred commerce.
Supporting local businesses helps ensure that money stays within the community, benefiting small-scale farmers, artisans, and service providers while promoting environmental sustainability. With the ebb and flow of tourism and seasonal industries, a circular economic model creates a more stable foundation, where resources are reused and waste minimised.
This approach can reduce dependency on external markets and foster a more self-sufficient, eco-conscious economy that thrives on local ingenuity and resourcefulness, ensuring the region’s future remains bright for both residents and visitors alike.
Celebrating a bright future
Attendees left the event with a renewed appreciation for the Tasman region’s rich resources, remarkable producers and forward-thinking leadership. The evening’s blend of networking, education and culinary artistry created an unforgettable experience, further cementing the region’s reputation as a premium source of quality products and innovation.
As the inaugural THINK TASMAN dinner drew to a close, the sentiment was clear: the Tasman region is poised for greatness. By championing its local industries and embracing collaboration, the region is not just showcasing its potential – it’s realising it.
A main feature of the evening were presentations by local producers and business people, accompanied by two THINK TASMAN videos created by local business Tunnel Bay Productions. One of the videos shone an authentic spotlight on local businesses Bangor Vineyard Shed, Tasman Honey, Cubed Espresso, Port Arthur Lavender Farm, Osborne Aviation, OE Hansen orchard and Saltwater River Wines and why they choose to operate in the region.
The second video, ‘Here We Are – Think Tasman – Dusty Rusty’, celebrates the beautiful landscapes and local people who contribute to the vibrant community, capturing the true essence of the place. This second video also features an original soundtrack by local artist Dusty Rusty, further highlighting some of the talent in the region. Both videos are available for viewing on the Tasman Council’s website.
For those who attended, THINK TASMAN was more than just an event; it was a proactive, valuable, council-led approach to creating a call to action to invest in, support and celebrate the incredible opportunities that the Tasman region has to offer.
To learn more, visit tasman.tas.gov.au/think-tasman
