Heritage advocates applaud backflip on Hobart’s Treasury buildings

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the state government to backflip on a controversial plan to sell a public asset.

• ‘Significant’ interest in Hobart’s Treasury buildings, Treasurer says
• Talking Point: Rethink Hobart’s Treasury Buildings sale

BUILT heritage advocates are celebrating the state government’s decision to abandon the sale of Hobart’s Treasury buildings.

The buildings’ sale for conversion into a hotel or similar venture was announced with fanfare in the 2018 state budget, with hopes for a sale price over $20 million.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein and then Premier Will Hodgman in front to the Treasury Building in 2018. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

However the project was put on hold in May during the COVID-19 shutdown, with a decision to abandon the sale made quietly amid the subsequent economic downturn.

Under questioning by the Greens during a recent state budget estimates hearing, Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein confirmed the buildings would not be sold.

“As long as I am the Treasurer or Premier, we will not be selling the Treasury building,” Mr Gutwein said.

“One thing I want to consider moving forward is how we can still have better public access to the building whilst Treasury remain on the site.

“Some of the Open House Hobart buildings that were facilitated were fantastic for the community.

“Concerning my thinking regarding the sale of the Treasury asset, there was real appetite for investment in the city and also for additional rooms to be built.

“The pandemic changed that. I do not think it would be wise to take a significant asset like the Treasury building to the market.”

In 2019, consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers won a tender worth more than $500,000 to run the sale process.

Mr Gutwein would not reveal whether the government received any serious offers, saying the process was closed before it was finalised.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor described the cancelled sale as “a very wise decision”.

Long-serving National Trust councillor Chris Merridew, a leading advocate for retaining the Treasury buildings in public ownership, has commended the Premier’s decision not to sell the site.

Chris Merridew. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“It’s a good decision for all concerned because they are a regarded asset of the people of Tasmania and they have been the heart of the state’s administration for 200 years and from what we understand they will retain that role,” he said.

Mr Merridew also welcomed recent funding allocations for maintenance on the buildings.

Treasury recently awarded a $114,000 tender for sandstone and joinery repairs to the executive building facing Franklin Square and a $161,642 contract for roof repairs.