It’s time to seal the City Deal, say Greater Hobart mayors
The mayors of Hobart’s four councils have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Will Hodgman, seeking answers on when the Hobart City Deal will be signed.
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THE mayors of Hobart’s four councils have written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Will Hodgman, seeking answers on when the Hobart City Deal will be signed.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston and Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter wrote to the two leaders today, urging that a date be set for the official signing of the agreement likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the state’s capital.
“Given there is a federal election looming, it would be in the interests of all parties if a date for an official signing of the City Deal could be set as soon as possible,” the mayors said.
“It is also important to us that as mayors we are provided sufficient time to enable us to consider the finalised content of the City Deal and be provided with the opportunity for a comprehensive briefing from the Australian and Tasmanian governments.”
Mr Morrison, who visited Huonville on Monday as the state battles an ongoing bushfire crisis, said this week the final sign-off would be “soon” — a sentiment echoed by a State Government spokesman yesterday.
Mr Morrison said: “You know it’s the first week of February and we are working very closely on this.”
Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins labelled the mayors’ letter an “extraordinary intervention”.
“[The Liberals] have been too distracted by chaos and division to focus on delivering for Hobart,” Ms Collins said.
STATE AND FEDS STAY QUIET ON CITY DEAL
“They are yet to even commit one dollar of new federal funding to the Hobart City Deal, after saying it would be signed by Christmas.”
The deal was meant to be completed by the end of last year. Mayors gave the sign-off on the draft deal at the behest of both levels of government.
The contents of the Hobart City Deal have not been made public, but key elements floated so far include $461 million for the Bridgewater Bridge, the $400 million University of Tasmania STEM centre, a light rail system and modern public transport as well as the redevelopment of Macquarie Point, including an Antarctic precinct.
The Launceston City Deal was signed in April 2017.
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