Tourism Council calls on Government to seek interest in developing ‘neglected’ Treasury Building

THE state’s peak tourism body says the Treasury Building has become a neglected, exclusive enclave of bureaucrats despite its potential.

The Treasury Building on the corner of Murray and Macquarie streets in Hobart’s CBD.

THE State Government should seek international expressions of interest in developing Hobart’s “neglected” Treasury Building into an outstanding hospitality precinct, Tasmania’s peak tourism body says.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said the Treasury Building had become a neglected, exclusive enclave of Treasury bureaucrats despite its potential as a mixed-use heritage precinct.

Mr Martin said there was strong interest from the private sector in developing the building — which he called one of the finest colonial sites in Australia.

He said the Government’s own accommodation demand study released this week showed there was still significant need for more accommodation in Hobart, and the Treasury Building had the potential to become one of Australia’s best mixed-use heritage precincts.

We believe Treasury officials just don’t want to give it up – TICT chief Luke Martin

The Government’s accommodation demand study found occupancy in Hobart City was at 82 per cent and an additional 2000-plus rooms were needed to meet demand.

The facade of the Treasury Building facing Franklin Square.

“In the past the State Government has ruled out redeveloping the Treasury Building, saying there is no demand. That just doesn’t wash with what the investment market is saying,” Mr Martin said.

“We believe Treasury officials just don’t want to give it up.

“It seems totally nonsensical that the Government won’t at least test the market and provide an opportunity for those with ideas for the site to come forward and present a vision for the site, and let the community consider the opportunities.”

Mr Martin said an expressions of interest process would need to be independent of Treasury “who clearly have a vested interest”.

The Murray St entrance to the Treasury Building.

The TICT has previously pushed the Government to put the Treasury Building up for sale.

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Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the Government had previously investigated a sale and “based on that advice has no plans to turn the Treasury building into a hotel”.

In August last year Mr Gutwein said the Government had decided not to pursue an expressions of interest process based on independent advice and the fact there were 1500 hotel rooms under construction or in planning phases in the Hobart area.