Push for sale of Hobart’s Treasury building to investors for potential hospitality precinct development

THE Government’s “open for business” mantra has been questioned after the Treasurer provided answers as to why the Treasury Building in Hobart will not be placed on the market.

The Treasury building in Hobart, as seen from Murray St.

THE State Government’s ‘‘open for business’’ mantra has been questioned by the Tasmanian tourism industry after Treasurer Peter Gutwein provided answers about why Hobart’s Treasury building will not be placed on the market.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin has hit out at the Government for not putting the historic building up for sale.

Mr Martin said the Government had yet to give the industry a compelling justification for not putting the building on the market.

“We know there are multiple motivated investors interested in the site,” he said. “I thought we were open for business. If there is potential, I thought the government would be exploring that potential.

“They have shut the door without, what we would consider, a valid reason. Anyone can see this as an excellent use of the site.”

He said it was about taking a dormant site and turning it into a world-class hospitality and tourism precinct.

The facade of the Treasury Building overlooking Franklin Square.

Property Council Tasmanian executive director Brian Wightman yesterday encouraged the Government to again consider the sale of the Treasury building and 53 St John St, in Launceston, and a suite of incentives to drive adaptive reuse of old offices.

“An open and transparent process providing opportunity for further investment and development in the heart of the North and the South would drive confidence and create jobs,” he said.

“Adaptive re-use of buildings including to residential living, hotels and student accommodation has been extremely successful in cities such as Melbourne and Brisbane, and we should learn the lessons from their success.”

Treasurer Peter Gutwein yesterday said there had been numerous suggestions about uses for the Treasury building over a number of years.

“However, there are also significant heritage and conservation issues that need to be considered, given it is one of the oldest heritage buildings in the state,” he said.

“We said we would ask for independent, expert advice on whether it would be suitable to consider making the building available for other uses, including hotel accommodation.

“On the basis of that advice and that there are 1500 hotel rooms either under construction or in the planning phase in the Hobart area, the Government made the decision not to proceed with considering an EOI process for alternative uses for the Treasury building at this stage.”