Reynolds: State should repurpose Treasury Building for mixed use, not just hotel development

A highly qualified adviser is being sought to help guide the future of the Murray St Treasury Building Complex as the government is urged not to sell the site to a hotel operator.

Murray St entrance of the Hobart Treasury Complex. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has urged the state government not to sell the heritage-listed Treasury Building Complex to a hotel operator, saying it would be the “worst outcome” for the community as the Liberals explore options for the future of the site.

Speaking in her capacity as an elected member and not on behalf of the Hobart City Council, Ms Reynolds said she hoped to see the government lease the Murray St complex for a mix of different uses under a public-private partnership.

Interior of the Treasury Building Complex. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Treasurer Guy Barnett announced in November that the government would be launching a new expression of interest (EOI) process for the “under-utilised” buildings.

Former Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein first unveiled plans to sell the complex in 2018 but later put the initial EOI process on hold due to the Covid pandemic. He projected the asset could fetch more than $20m for the state coffers.

Former Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein in part of the Treasury Complex in Hobart. Picture: Peter Mathew

Ms Reynolds said the government needed to ensure the EOI process was “very open and transparent” so that the public could get “a sense of some of the options available”.

“The government needs to be open to longer-term public benefits, not just a short-term sugar hit. I think the worst outcome would be a property sale for one hotel use,” she said.

“I think the Treasury buildings that have just become hotels and casinos in a couple of parts of Australia haven’t been great outcomes for those places. And I think there’s a better way that it can be done.

“I think a long-term lease with a public-private partnership, with the government retaining ownership and offering a long-term lease, is the best outcome for the community, the buildings, and probably the longer-term financial benefits to the government, as well.”

Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Lord Mayor said while part of the space could be converted into a boutique hotel, she wanted areas of the complex to be used for cultural collections, a public reading room, and potentially a visitor information centre.

Ms Reynolds said space could also be carved out for cafe, restaurant, and bar tenancies, plus offices and conference rooms.

The history of the Treasury complex dates back to 1824, when it housed the oldest Supreme Court in Australia.

Mr Barnett has said an EOI process for the buildings will open early in the new year.

Treasurer Guy Barnett. Picture: Linda Higginson

The government is currently advertising a tender for a “suitably experienced” adviser to help guide the repurposing of the complex.

A government spokesman said the appointment of an adviser would be the “first step” in the redevelopment of the site.

“There is significant opportunity for a suitable development at the site which would stimulate investment and create jobs during the design, construction and into the future,” he said.

Originally published as Reynolds: State should repurpose Treasury Building for mixed use, not just hotel development