Macquarie Point Development Corporation lodges application for remediation works paving way for progress at the 9ha site

A significant development application for Macquarie Point has been lodged with the Hobart City Council.

State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson at Macquarie Point this week with Development Corporation chief Mary Massina. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

THE Macquarie Point Development Corporation has lodged an application for remedial works at the waterfront site, which would clear the way for permanent development.

Corporation chief executive Mary Massina said the $3 million development application had now been lodged with the Hobart City Council seeking approval for remediation.

“This is an exciting time for Mac Point, with the application the first-step in seeing permanent development on site,” she said.

“These works complement the remediation work already undertaken with all work to be completed by the end of next year.

“Contamination across the site is a legacy of past land uses, in particular railways, fuel handling and the former gasworks and is primarily related to fuel contamination and associated heavy metals.”

The proposed soil remediation work would be undertaken across most of the 9ha site to remove contaminants such as spilt fuel, heavy metals and buried asbestos.

Ms Massina said the area along the northern escarpment below the Cenotaph was the location earmarked for early permanent development.

On Tuesday, State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson joined Ms Messina to announce the Tasmanian Planning Commission had endorsed planning scheme changes for the revised master plan for the site.

Minister for State Growth Michael Ferguson at Macquarie Point with Macquarie Point Development chief Mary Massina (left). Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The HCC voted unanimously in June to support the reset master plan, after the Government asked the corporation in 2016 to re-evaluate its vision for the site.

The new vision encourages cultural and public spaces to sit alongside land uses which could include a conference centre, hotels, retail and an Antarctic and Science precinct.

Parcels of land at Macquarie Point could be put on the market by mid next year.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said it was time to “face facts” that development at the precinct was years away.

Luke Martin. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“Like most Tasmanians, we’ve been of the impression the State Government and the Macquarie Point Development Corporation has been busily preparing business plans and securing agreements to initiate major public and private investment of the site,’’ he said.

“Instead, it seems we’re still debating the merits of an Antarctic and Science Precinct and politicians speculating over whether it might include the Australian Antarctic Division, or not? Surely there is more progress than that?”

Mr Martin said he estimated that “at best it will be another four or five years before we see any meaningful construction completed on site and doors open.”