Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces an agreement to accelerate a Hobart City Deal
UPDATED: PM Malcolm Turnbull has described the acceleration of a City Deal for Hobart as a “big game changer” for the capital, later urging Launceston to get moving on transforming Inveresk into a university hub. WATCH THE VIDEO
Politics
Don't miss out on the headlines from Politics. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the agreement between the federal and state governments to accelerate a City Deal for Hobart will be a “big game changer” for the city and the southern Tasmanian region.
Just over a year after Mr Turnbull told the Mercury of his plan to negotiate a City Deal with Hobart, he and Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman today signed an agreement to fast-track the southern capital as the next City Deal location.
A City Deal is a long-term investment plan of up to 20 years, involving federal, state and local government, which can provide a functioning and funded structure for a city’s priorities and projects.
MORE: VISION FOR CITY GETS SHOT IN THE ARM
Launceston, Western Sydney and Townsville have already signed City Deals with the Federal Government.
EDITORIAL: A CHANCE TO SEAL THE DEAL
Under the Hobart deal, the three tiers of government will:
EXAMINE the possibility of an Antarctic Precinct at Macquarie Point, which Mr Turnbull said would be the world’s leading hub;
CREATE a Greater Hobart Transport Vision, that will look at future public transport options such as light rail, ferry services or extra buses;
EXPLORE options for the University of Tasmania’s proposed $400 million STEM centre in the city centre, and;
LOOK at options to support affordable housing in Greater Hobart.
Mr Turnbull said it would continue the strong growth Hobart had experienced.
“For the first time in Hobart you’ve got the commonwealth, state and local governments all completely aligned with the same objective to make this remarkable city more remarkable, more liveable and more successful into the future,” he said.
But Mr Turnbull said there was no monetary figure on just how much the City Deal would be worth to Hobart yet — or whether the deal would change if the Liberal Party was voted out at the state election, due by March this year.
“The projects that are being considered are very substantial, but it is too early to say what the total investment will be from all sources,” he said.
“And you have to recognise that with all these urban renewal developments, whether it is a Macquarie Point or with light rail, that there are opportunities to recover a substantial amount of the investment from the improvement of land values.”
Mr Hodgman said the deal laid down a blueprint for Hobart and its future.
“This is very much the most significant point to now in our collaborative effort but there is still much work to do to realise this potential that this plan covers and the opportunities that it presents,” he said.
“But this is a classic example of ... working together collaboratively. It provides a real shared vision for Hobart.”
Property Council of Australia state executive director Brian Wightman said the agreement needed top be focused on jobs and laying the foundation for long-term growth in Hobart.
“City Deals must provide a platform for private sector investment and be used to deliver confidence, jobs, and opportunities for aspirational Tasmanians,” he said.
Federal independent MP for Denison Andrew Wilkie said while it was disappointing that it took until the eve of the state election for the agreement to be announced, and it didn’t contain any funding commitments, it was pleasing to see it being struck.
“It’s now up to the federal and state governments to commit to fund and deliver these important projects in a timely manner,” he said.
Mr Turnbull headed to Launceston after his Hobart announcement to flesh out details of a City Deal for the island state’s northern capital.
Cost of new Southern Outlet lane balloons as state seeks federal help
The long-discussed new lane planned for the Southern Outlet is going to cost a lot more than originally envisaged, with the state government now asking Canberra for more money.
North Vs South: MP says Devils base should be north during stadium build
Should the Tasmania Devils be based up north during the construction of the stadium? One MP thinks so. Here are her reasons.