Tasmania’s tourism and property industries are booming, and the Hodgman Liberal Government plan to take advantage of this growth.
The Government has formed the view that it is no longer appropriate to own the Elizabeth Street Pier and that the proceeds of its sale will be better utilised to underpin investment in other public assets that will benefit all Tasmanians.
The Government owns approximately 91 per cent of the Elizabeth Street Pier which includes 56 serviced apartments, a conference centre, as well as other hospitality venues. The site, which is in the middle of Hobart, is not core business for the Tasmanian Government. The wharf area and apron will remain in public ownership.
It’s the Government’s plan to use funds from the sale of Elizabeth Street Pier to assist with the renewal of the Macquarie Point precinct to underpin and unlock the potential of hundreds of millions of dollars of investment flowing into a site which will become the cultural heart of Hobart.
The proceeds from the sale of the Pier will assist with the decommissioning of the Waste Water Treatment Plant at Macquarie Point as well as commencing the process to transform Macquarie Point into an Arts and Cultural Precinct in line with the MONA vision.
Importantly, the redevelopment of Macquarie Point will benefit all Tasmanians, with over half of the site earmarked for public space and arts and cultural events.
This investment, along with other projects that will be realised from the Hobart City Deal, has the ability to transform not only this 9.3 hectare site, but all of Greater Hobart.
It is vitally important that the new Masterplan, which draws upon the MONA vision, be adopted and provide a landing pad for future investment opportunities that may arise for Macquarie Point.
