Sewer plant gets up nose of Macquarie Point visionaries

THE $1 billion potential of Tasmania’s most promising development site is under threat from the sight – and smells – of sewerage works.

TAS_SUN_NEWS_MACPOINT_28MAY15

THE $1 billion potential of Tasmania’s most promising development site is under threat from the sight – and smells – of sewerage works beside the prime waterfront land.

A feasibility study, obtained by the Sunday Tasmanian, tells TasWater and the Macquarie Point Development Corporation that odours from the sewerage works in Hobart “effectively prevents” sensitive land uses being developed across the entire Macquarie Point site.

“Without addressing the WWTP’s (Wastewater Treatment Plant) odour emission performance, it will not be possible to rezone the Macquarie Point land to support sensitive land uses,” the study says.

Macquarie Point, the 8.6ha old railyards site between the Hobart Cenotaph and Hunter St, was a key development opportunity spruiked to Chinese and interstate investors during the inaugural TasInvest Summit last year.

Proponents say it could deliver $1 billion worth of investment over a 10-year construction phase.

Both TasWater and the corporation have refused to say what “sensitive land use” would encapsulate.

However, planning experts have told the Sunday Tasmanian the restriction should be expected to prevent residential housing, accommodation, childcare and tertiary institutions being allowed on the site.

The Sunday Tasmanian understands the State Government has a solution for the problem, which could include decommissioning the sewerage plant.

But a solution could carry a $60 million price tag, with the report recommending a further study to look at moving the treatment plant.

“Relocation will also address the visual impacts and open up a prime site for redevelopment,” the report said.

Macquarie Point has been spruiked as a site for everything from a new university campus, theme park, casino and conference centre to a “China Town”.

“The Macquarie Point redevelopment is a unique opportunity that has the potential to be a transformative project for Hobart with significant benefits for the local economy,” a State Government spokesman said.

“The Government is working with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation to maximise this opportunity.

“The future of the waste water treatment plant has been carefully thought through as part of the finalisation of the Macquarie Point Redevelopment Masterplan.

“The Government will be in a position to provide further details on the future of the plant on the release of the masterplan, which is scheduled to occur in the next few weeks.”

Corporation chief executive Liz Jack reiterated the spokesman’s comments.

“The Macquarie Point Development Corporation will be launching our masterplan for the site soon and we will have more to say on the wastewater treatment plant at the launch,” she said.

A TasWater spokesman said detailed research was needed to determine what impact decommissioning the plant would have on the Selfs Point treatment plant at New Town.

“TasWater understands the presence of the wastewater treatment plant is incompatible with future potential sensitive development of the neighbouring Macquarie Point site,” the spokesman said.

“We have been working closely with the Macquarie Point Development Corporation and Government to understand what options there are for the future of the treatment plant.

“Detailed work needs to be undertaken to fully understand the implications of potentially decommissioning the treatment plant and the costs associated. This needs to include the potential impacts on Selfs Point treatment plant and associated infrastructure required as a result of the removal of the plant.”