The Unconformity has made a submission to the Tasmanian Government’s draft Economic Diversification and Investment Strategy, drawing on 15 years of experience working in Creative Industries across the West Coast. 

Our submission calls for a broader understanding of what economic success can look like in Tasmania – one that recognises wellbeing, liveability, culture and community alongside conventional economic measures. 

We argue that culture and creative industries are not simply a social good, but an economic driver. They create employment, attract visitors, support local businesses, strengthen communities and help regional places attract and retain people. 

For the West Coast, our recommendations include greater investment in cultural infrastructure and liveability, recognising the West Coast Cultural Commons as a model for creative industry development, addressing accommodation and connectivity challenges, and exploring ways the wealth generated through extractive industries can create lasting community benefits.

We also advocate for stronger recognition of cultural festivals and events as an important part of Tasmania’s economic future and tourism market opportunities in wellness and event visitor experiences, investment in heritage buildings and adaptive reuse, and support for Tasmania’s creative economy to grow and export its work beyond the state. 

The Unconformity welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the conversation about Tasmania’s economic future and to advocate for a broader understanding of what a thriving economy can look like especially for regional areas.

Read The Unconformity's full submission

Image credit: Jesse Hunniford

Image description: [A person sits in the centre of a gym, facing a multi-layered installation of translucent fabrics and projected imagery.]