Planning watchdog derails plans for Hobart’s old railyards on waterfront

TASMANIA’S planning watchdog has derailed the Macquarie Point team’s development plans for the old Hobart railyards.

There is investor uncertainty for bold plans for Hobart’s Macquarie Point. Picture: SUPPLIED

DEVELOPMENT at Hobart’s old railyards site has been struck a significant blow with the Tasmanian Planning Commission modifying amendments to the planning scheme from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation.

The decision means any meaningful development will struggle to get off the ground until the wastewater treatment plant is shifted — and investors are set to look elsewhere.

Development potential at the site had been estimated at $1 billion.

The corporation had sought amendments to the planning scheme underpinning the site that would have given investors greater certainty about what they could and could not build at the site.

However, the commission have argued not enough evidence has been provided to ensure TasWater, who own the wastewater treatment plant adjacent to the site, would not run foul of the Environmental Protection Authority, for odour.

It means investors will now have to fight for their right to develop on the site.

The corporation wanted green light approval for a raft of uses including arts and cultural centres; restaurants; community centre; function centre; casino; major and minor sport and recreation; manufacturing sales; markets; occasional sporting, social and cultural events; offices; place of worship; public display office; public transport facility; railway terminal; research and development centre; shop; transport terminal or visitor accommodation.

The Sunday Tasmanian understands developers who have already put forward ideas, including the Eden Project from the United Kingdom, and who have signed confidentially agreements with the corporation, will now pull out of talks.

A State Government spokesman said “The government will carefully consider the TPC’s decision.”

An equally short statement from the corporation reads “the corporation notes the decision of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which was handed down late today, and is currently reviewing it”.

The cost of removing sewerage works has blown out to between $130 million and $145 million — double the estimated figure from only six months ago.

TasWater had argued against the amendments because of the impact complaints would have on its business.

Odour mitigation is expected to cost about $20 million for the plant.

“The decision by the Planning Commission is seen by TasWater as consistent with TasWater’s position,” said a TasWater spokesman.

The spokesman welcomed the decision arguing “operationally” the works do not need relocating and the water corporation would not be paying for its removal.

In its report the Planning Commission raised concerns about funding for the removal of the sewerage works.

“The Commission does not consider that the evidence relied upon by the MPDC (Macquarie Point Development Corporation) verifies with any certainty that the WWTP (Waste Water Treatment Plant) will be decommissioned and the site rehabilitated by a particular date,” the report said.

“While the MPDC, TasWater and Council acknowledge that the strategic future for the Macquarie Point site has changed and it is ‘anticipated’ that the WWTP will be decommissioned and relocated in the future, there is no certainty about the costs involved, who will provide funding or the timing for the relocation.”

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