Talking Point: Mac Point groundwork pays off as we open for business

MARY MASSINA: We know it’s hard to be patient, but critical work has been going on

PROGRESS: State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson at Macquarie Point with Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina. Picture: Luke Bowden

Developing Macquarie Point is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rejuvenate and unlock the full potential of a remarkable parcel of land so close to the heart of our city.

As one of the last vacant urban infill locations in any of Australia’s capital cities, this is no small feat and it is imperative we get the planning right to set up Mac Point for long-term success.

With the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s endorsement of the State Government’s revised masterplan for the site, we have cleared the last major hurdle and land can finally be released for permanent development. The foundation is now set for permanent development including transfer of title, agreement for relocation of the wastewater treatment plant by 2023 and approval of the planning scheme triggered by the 2016 Mona-inspired reset.

A lot has been happening at Mac Point, with 21 businesses calling the site home.

Businesses as diverse as hairdressers, food and beverage vendors, cultural and healing spaces, start-ups, construction, consultants, art galleries, community organisations, tourism providers and a gym all call Mac Point home.

In addition, the site has supported major construction projects. The Royal Hobart Hospital’s helipad was built at Mac Point, and the windows and scaffolding for Block K were stored on site. Mac Point was also used in the final construction of the middle span of Hobart’s Remembrance Bridge.

Many may recall drinking a gin and tonic at the Ginuary event or dancing the night away to Peking Duk at their two April performances at the Goods Shed and shortly we will be hosting the inaugural Mind Games Race for Research, the Art Battle Hobart Grand Final and the Pure Bride Expo, with the venue quickly filling up for the next 12 months.

Next door to the Goods Shed is the Red Square, which just hosted the Winter Fringe Fest attracting about 1500 patrons a night, while many have bought a beer from one of our anchor tenants the Hobart Brewing Company.

In addition, Hobartians and visitors to our city can now walk or ride through the site with the opening of the cycleway. The last time this was possible was nearly 170 years ago.

Mac Point represents overwhelming potential for Tasmania and the nation.

Just as a tree will not grow without soil preparation, a major development will not thrive without first building a solid environmental, social and economic foundation.

This work can be tedious for the community looking on in anticipation, but it is the critical preparation needed for long-term success.

You only need to look at the redevelopment of the Wapping area, which has been going for decades, to understand just how complex such developments can be.

In this context, the progress made in the past two years — after revealing a bold reset for the precinct in 2016 that embraced feedback from the community — has been quite impressive.

We have achieved a number of essential milestones that have finally addressed legacy issues which have stalled development for decades.

For the first time in the site’s history it can move forward and ensure that the new Mona-aligned, community-informed Master Plan can be realised.

In addition to parcels of Crown land being transferred under one consolidated title to the Corporation, the independent Environmental Auditor has signed off on the first parcel of land ready for above-ground development, following significant remediation, while works have now started on infrastructure needed for decommissioning and removal of the TasWater treatment plant. In a first for the site, Tasmania and indeed the nation, work has begun on making the Antarctic and Science Precinct a reality, reinforcing Hobart’s position as Australia’s global gateway city.

As a result of this hard work, we are now ready to take our plan to investors and developers. Like all in the community, the team at Mac Point Development Corporation want to see the development unite and excite Tasmanians and visitors alike.

All development proposals will be rigorously examined to ensure it is sustainable and that it offers real benefits to the community.

The opportunity to develop this exciting precinct in Hobart is something we don’t take lightly. We want to ensure this site will benefit Tasmanians now and for future generations.

This means we need to get it right at the start, and that’s what we are doing.

Mary Massina is chief executive of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.