![TOURISM PRECINCT: Tamworth Regional Council commercial property officer Luke Stevenson. Photo: Gareth Gardner TOURISM PRECINCT: Tamworth Regional Council commercial property officer Luke Stevenson. Photo: Gareth Gardner](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/hAWJC77isbRCSsmqzS5A6F/63072384-bb5a-4c9a-8335-e4c159cfdecc.jpg/r0_262_4707_3034_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A SWANKY multi-million dollar country music and equine centre of excellence could be the next major tourist attraction built on the grassy knoll of the old athletics track.
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The concept plan boasts a high-rise hotel, restaurants, rodeo museum, and multi-purpose function centre topped off with the relocation of the Big Golden Guitar.
But first, Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) needs a buyer.
The council has put out an expression of interest for developers to buy and activate the accommodation and hospitality space on Greg Norman Drive, across the road from the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC).
It would also see the relocation of the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) and the Tamworth Regional Museum and Gallery and Film and Sound Archive.
And, there's already been serious interest from developers, TRC commercial property officer Luke Stevenson said.
"What we are thinking, and the reason the concept plans have come about for the precinct is that we want hoteliers and developers to build something there because we will construct world class tourism assets either side of their doorstep," he said.
"It's going to greatly enhance our tourism and business economy.
"We really want to encourage a combination of private and council investment. If we don't get a developer council doesn't intend to build or run a hotel."
Council documents show the location was chosen as it is in an "idyllic position to develop a tourism precinct and permanently secure Tamworth's status as the Country Music Capital of Australia, as well as build on the strength of the AELEC".
"Council also has a vision to celebrate our rural heritage and bolster our sporting identity within this precinct," it said.
"The main objectives of council's involvement in this development are to create a vibrant tourism precinct that attracts visitors to its region, creates new jobs, increases skills and the visitor experience and provide ancillary and perpetual economic benefits to the region."
The 8-hectare development would host three main areas, the VIC, accommodation and hospitality venues and an equine multi-purpose centre.
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The council is looking for the right developer, someone with the power and know-how to both activate and operate the accommodation and hospitality space. Council would control equine and country music precincts.
And, the plans aren't set in stone - in fact the council is encouraging variations on the design.
The plans could open the doors to the capacity to hosting bigger events at AELEC with more accommodation. There's potential for a Tamworth equine, rodeo and outback museum, kitted out with a cafe and souvenir shop where tourists could grab their own slice of the country music capital.
And, a multipurpose office or equine consultancy space could host agencies like the Australian Stock Horse Association or World Cutting Horse Association.
There's still plenty of space for other developments with spots on the plans earmarked for future attractions or performance spaces that could come in handy during Tamworth Country Music Festival.
The project would need to go to community consultation if a developer showed interest.
Expressions of interest close March 3, 2022.
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