Macquarie Point Development parcels of land go on sale

The sky above Macquarie Point will be thick with cranes early next year, Tasmania’s State Growth Minister has promised as the second tranche of land sales are released for investors. DETAILS >>

• Government talks down early election despite record popularity
• Labor faces a tough uphill battle to overcome Liberals

THE sky above Macquarie Point will be thick with cranes early next year, State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson has promised.

The government has announced the second tranche of land sales at the site, saying the development was on track to deliver $500 million in investment even sooner than expected.

Macquarie Point artists impressions. Picture: Supplied

The land release is known as The District, which is made up of The Gateway, the Promenade and The Underground, the last of which will be a car park.

Mr Ferguson said the land on offer would be home to commercial developments, theatres, distilleries, functions spaces and open spaces.

“This is Tasmania’s playground,” he said. “It’s also going to be the hottest property in the country as we’ve already gone to market with the first parcel of land that is mature and advanced,” he said.

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“And we look forward to an announcement in the middle of the year and we expect to see cranes on the skyline and concrete being poured next year — probably in the first half.”

The parcels — which in total make up 2.7 hectares of the 9.3 hectare site — are zoned mixed use, Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina said.

Mary Massina CEO Macquarie Point. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A fourth parcel, The Escarpment, has already gone to market, with two developers short-listed.

“It is a remarkable opportunity. It’s 2.7 hectares of prime real estate, 10 minutes walk from the CBD of Hobart.

“It’s an exciting proposal and we’re really looking forward to seeing who expresses or registers their interest in the coming weeks,” she said.

“With the government’s $77 million worth of investment into this site, it means, it unlocks half a billion dollars worth of private sector investment.

“It means that new developments come to site for the creation of an arts, culture, science and tourism precinct unlike that has been seen anywhere in Tasmania.”

At various times slated as a site for a new Hobart Hospital, a sports stadium and a truth and reconciliation park, Macquarie Point is governed by a masterplan which includes 50 per cent of the site being devoted to public space.

Expressions of interest, the first stage of a three-part process, close on April 16.

Premier Peter Gutwein sparks early election buzz

12.33pm Wednesday, March 17:

TASMANIA could go to the polls early, Premier Peter Gutwein says.

The next state election is due by May 14 next year and Mr Gutwein has consistently said the Liberals would serve their full term.

But in an interview on ABC radio this morning, Mr Gutwein said an early election was an option.

“I‘ve got an open mind to be frank, in terms of whether or not the election is held in March,” he said.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The election will be held when the state requires an election,” he said.

“People can take from that what they think. My view is I want to set Tasmania up for the future.”

Mr Gutwein has repeatedly stated the government would run its full four-year term.

The Liberals are riding high in the opinion polls but enjoy only a one-seat majority in the 25-member House of Assembly, with 13 members. Labor has nine, the Greens two and there is one independent.

“I have said the state election is due in March of next year, my intention has always been to go full term,” Mr Gutwein said.

“The key thing though that I want to see if that we can get the structural change we need so we can set Tasmania up for the future.”

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