Former 7Tasmania television station could be transformed into funeral parlour or medical centre

The home of TNT-9, more recently known as 7Tasmania, could soon be transformed into a bank, veterinary centre or even a funeral parlour. See the plans >>

Plans have been unveiled to convert the home of TNT-9, more recently known as 7Tasmania, at 36 Watchorn Street, South Launceston, into a thriving business hub. Picture: Supplied

Plans have been unveiled to convert an old television broadcast site in Northern Tasmania into a thriving business hub.

A development application was lodged with the City of Launceston Council to transform the home of TNT-9, more recently known as 7Tasmania, into either a bank, funeral parlour, medical centre, post office, real estate agency, travel agency, or a veterinary centre.

A former Southern Cross Television studio at 36 Watchorn Street, South Launceston. Picture: Supplied

Located at 36 Watchorn Street, South Launceston, the station was built in 1962 on an elevated site of 1.861Ha with a direct line of sight to the Mount Barrow telecommunication towers.

The station began transmission on May 26, 1962, under the call sign TNT-9, which stood for Television Northern Tasmania. In March 1989, it was sold to Tricom Corporation (the predecessor to what is now Southern Cross Austereo) and renamed Southern Cross Network, and then in April 1994 to Southern Cross Television.

Plans have been unveiled to convert the home of TNT-9, more recently known as 7Tasmania, at 36 Watchorn Street, South Launceston, into a thriving business hub. Picture: Supplied

In 2018, the station was rebranded for a final time as 7Tasmania.

Documents lodged by Design Intent Architecture and Management for Watchorn Street Developments PTY LTD state that the South Launceston site would include the partial demolition and refurbishment of the existing building, with its height reduced and the facade modernised.

Plans have been unveiled to convert the home of TNT-9, more recently known as 7Tasmania, at 36 Watchorn Street, South Launceston, into a thriving business hub. Picture: Design Intent Architecture and Management

Design Intent Architecture and Management director and architect Heath Clayton highlighted the potential of the proposed works, saying the transformation would open up the land for a variety of activities, including administration, clerical, technical, professional, or similar activities, presenting a range of potential business opportunities.

“Examples include a bank, call centre, consulting room, funeral parlour, medical centre, office, post office, real estate agency, residential support services, travel agency and veterinary centre,” Mr Clayton said.

Mr Clayton said the property was sold in late 2022 subject to a “partial leaseback” to Southern Cross Austereo, who remain as tenants in part of the main building.

“Channel 7 will remain on site as one of the tenants. Tenancy 2 will be Channel7 and may operate slightly later hours,” he said.

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