Prime Minister Scott Morrison ready to strike a City Deal
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Hobart will get its City Deal, with the agreement to be finalised when he is in the state’s capital next week.
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PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says Hobart will get its City Deal, with the agreement to be finalised when he is in the state’s capital next week.
While Mr Morrison, right, would not reveal key details of the City Deal while on a visit to Tasmania’s North-West yesterday, he did ease concerns the deal would stall — again.
“I will announce the City Deal next week,” he said.
“We have come to a final decision, with just the logistics to sort out now.”
Mr Morrison was in the Burnie region to announce a plan to plant one billion more trees around Australia to meet future timber demands.
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“Today I am focusing on the state’s North. We will focus on the South another day,” he said when pressed about the Hobart City Deal.
The deal is the base for Greater Hobart accessing hundreds of millions of federal dollars to realise city-defining projects, including a Greater Hobart Transport Vision, an Antarctic precinct at Macquarie Point and cash for the University of Tasmania’s proposed STEM centre.
Mr Morrison signing off on the deal next week could mean some initiatives being included in the Federal Budget in April.
It is understood Premier Will Hodgman and Treasurer Peter Gutwein will meet representatives of councils in the Greater Hobart area tomorrow to go through the details.
The heads of agreement for the City Deal was signed more than two years ago but progress since has been slow.
Mr Gutwein yesterday said it was pleasing to hear the Hobart City Deal was in its final stages.
“This is great news for Tasmania and for Hobart and we’re pleased we’ve been able to work with our federal Liberal colleagues and the relevant councils to secure the deal,” Mr Gutwein said.
Frustration with delays led the mayors of Greater Hobart to write an open letter to the Prime Minister and the Premier seeking answers.
Glenorchy City Mayor Kristie Johnston said she was pleased to see some movement.
“It is really important to get it down and get implementation before the Federal Budget,” she said.
“I am keen to ensure, in particular, that the light rail commitments between Hobart and Granton are honoured.
“That would be a real game-changer for our city and something we are very excited about.”
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Glenorchy City Council has already pledged $10 million to the City Deal.
Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter remains unimpressed by the delay.
“My major concern is the delay is pushing the deal, which is supposed to be above politics, into a federal election,” he said.
“Tasmanian infrastructure needs to be funded on the basis of need, not the basis of votes.
“Kingborough has the fastest growing population in Tasmania and needs a funded plan to ease traffic congestion.”
Clarence City Council Mayor Doug Chipman welcomed any opportunity to progress the City Deal.
Hobart Mayor Anna Reynolds could not be reached for comment.
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