WA tourism could go through roof with Australian Biome Project planned for Perth

A group of Perth businessmen has launched an ambitious plan to build WA’s only “truly global attraction” — three giant bio-domes that will allow visitors to experience different parts of the State at one location.

The Australian Biome Project will be built on the banks of the Swan River, on 15ha of land in front of Crown Towers and alongside Optus Stadium.

Initial cost estimates suggest the three-stage development will cost $650 million, but the businessmen are confident it can be fully funded by the private sector, including by major international corporations.

The only contribution from the State Government would be the land.

The focus of the plan will be a strong indigenous component, with each dome linked by galleries and virtual reality theatres that demonstrate traditional ways of living, bush food, medicines, art and cultural expression.

The concept is based on the successful Eden Project in Cornwall, England.

Spokesman Adam Barnard, pictured, former boss of tour company ADAMS, said the project was “on a scale never before seen in WA”.

“This project will supercharge WA’s tourism industry,” he said. “It will be the attraction that will bring tourists to WA from all over the country and all over the world.

“Just like the MONA museum has fuelled tourism growth in Tasmania, so will the Biome Project in WA.”

Mr Barnard said the Biome would provide tourists with a range of experiences connected to Australia’s natural environment and Aboriginal culture.

The three domes will be about 50m high and will showcase the landscape and climate of WA’s savannah, tropical and desert regions.

It will also feature a Leeuwin-like amphitheatre and a skywalk that links the dome with the stadium, Crown and the train station. An obstacle and high-ropes course could also be developed that could be run in conjunction with the proposed Matagarup bridge climb and zip-line.

The Biome could include an oceans gallery that uses virtual reality to present information about the WA coast and marine environments.

Surrounding the domes will be gardens, parks, walk trails and sculptures.

“It is envisioned an invitation will be made to other cultural communities to adopt small sections of garden parkland to share in the historical and cultural biodiversity of WA,” Mr Barnard said.

“The Biome gardens will accommodate outdoor festivals with pop-up restaurants and food vans. The Chinese communities will be invited to establish an outdoor space and ambience conducive to meditation and tai chi.”

Project chairman Terry Dewar said the Biome — which has already been two years in the planning — would be a combination of the world’s oldest culture with the latest in technology.

The domes could be powered by hydrogen — making it Perth’s only renewable-energy building.

“As with the Eden project, the Perth Biome Project will incorporate facilities to stage music, dance, film and performing arts and events,” Mr Barnard said.

“The facilities will be made available to schools to learn, develop and perform.

“Food and nutrition will also be a focus. Plant species grown on the site will be incorporated in menus.”

Aboriginal elder Robert Isaacs said the project was unprecedented in Australia in terms of its scale, scope and ambition.

He said it would have huge social justice, employment and cultural benefits for local Aboriginals.

There have been preliminary discussions with government authorities.