Push growing for Hobart to be ‘Smart City’

SUPPORT is growing fast for a STEM Centre in Hobart, with it appearing more and more likely to be at the heart of any future City Deal.

Liberal senator Eric Abetz said the STEM project and the Tasmanian Innovation Network (separate report) could be fundamental to a future deal, which would bring together different levels of governments to work on the project.

“This innovative project has the potential to transform the city into a smart city and attract new industries and enterprises to the state,” he said.

“The industries of the future will require a lot more graduates in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and this project will result in a significant driver of productivity for the state and indeed the nation.”

Senator Abetz said the 3000 students and 700 staff would add enormously to the vibrancy of Hobart and be a boon to the CBD and the state as a whole.

A State Government spokesman said: “The State Government is in discussions with the Federal Government about a Hobart City Deal.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey met Assistant Cities Minister Angus Taylor to advance the Hobart deal and was delighted with a good hearing.

“We are eager and ready to go,” Ald Hickey said.

“We have resources to con- tribute whether it be planning, or contributing assets and we have enormous support from surrounding councils.”

The STEM project would be pivotal to the deal, which would provide solutions to affordable housing, traffic congestion, improved public transport and alternatives such as cycleways, she said.

Mr Taylor said a prerequisite to a successful City Deal would be local government and the State Government wanting to invest in and be part of the deal.

“That collaboration, that co-contribution is absolutely crucial, we’ll be making announcements about the next round of City Deals in due course,” he said.

“I am delighted there is so much interest in a City Deal from Hobart.”

UTAS vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen said a Hobart City Deal was not essential before the STEM project could begin.

“In my view, the STEM project for central Hobart is the most exciting university project that I have seen and what we need to do is to make sure it goes ahead,” he said.

“It may or may not be part of a City Deal, that should not be the driver.

“The driver should be education and innovation needs of the Tasmanian state.”

“The City Deal may be the easiest way, but there is no reason why it couldn’t be funded in another way.”