State Government to tender for advice on Treasury buildings sale

The State Government will next month advertise for a consultant to provide “specialist advice” on the sale of Hobart’s historic Treasury buildings.

Hobart Treasury Building for file pic. Corner of Murray, Macquarie, and Davey Streets Hobart, Tasmania.

THE State Government will next month advertise for a consultant to provide “specialist advice” on the sale of Hobart’s historic Treasury buildings.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein last year announced the Government would sell the eight Murray St buildings for an expected return of $20 million.

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Earlier this month he said the Treasury and Finance Department was completing due diligence on the site with plans to call for tenders for specialist advice in March.

Mr Gutwein said the Government would open a registration of interest phase later this year and there would be further opportunities for public engagement.

A community campaign to save the buildings kicked off last year, led by long-serving National Trust Council member Chris Merridew.

SHOULD TREASURY BUILDINGS BE KEPT IN PUBLIC HANDS?

Mr Merridew said on Monday an open day at the site held in November had strengthened support for the complex to remain in public hands.

“It gave the public the opportunity to assess the issues that would need to be taken into account within and outside of the buildings,” Mr Merridew said.

“Since that open day weekend there has been a groundswell for developments of concepts of appropriate exhibitions or experiences that could bring so much of our colonial history to life in the venues where it took place – in the 1800s – as opposed to Port Arthur where only the relics remain.”