Sale of heritage Treasury buildings begins amid calls for public access

The wheels have been set in motion for the transformation of Hobart’s Treasury buildings. PricewaterhouseCoopers is to offer advice during the imminent Expressions of Interest process.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein outside the Treasury at Hobart. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

THE wheels have been set in motion for the transformation of Hobart’s Treasury buildings.

The State Government has appointed the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers to offer advice during the imminent Expressions of Interest process.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein, who announced the plan to sell the heritage buildings in last year’s State Budget, said the community would be consulted throughout the EOI process.

“While the site has served government well for many decades, it is no longer suited to modern and efficient office accommodation,” Mr Gutwein said.

“The site can be so much more for the people of Tasmania, and PricewaterhouseCoopers has been appointed to support the Government with specialist advice throughout the upcoming Expression of Interest process for future uses of the site.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds urged the Government to consider offering a long-term lease on the Treasury buildings, the earliest of which dates back to 1824, rather than selling the site.

“I think it’s really important that there is continued public ownership of the buildings,” Ald Reynolds said.

Mr Gutwein said the EOI would seek adaptive reuse of the Treasury Building and Precinct that could provide better public access, take fuller advantage of its prime location and better conserve its heritage for future generations.