Kingston waits on new park funds
THE Kingborough Council is still waiting to find out whether its highly anticipated Kingston Park development will receive Federal Government funding.
The $90 million development will begin to take shape early next year with the construction of a $6.5 million healthcare centre and community hub on the disused former high school site.
The project will take up about 40 per cent of Kingston’s CBD.
In February, the council submitted an application to the federal Building Better Regions Fund for a $2.8 million grant to go towards the community hub.
At last night’s council meeting, Kingborough councillor Dean Winter asked about the status of the application.
Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass said he was told last month that an announcement was imminent.
Cr Wass also said council had approval from state Treasurer Peter Gutwein to borrow $10 million from Tascorp, which could help with funding if needed.
Cr Wass said the council had also applied for a $6 million grant under the $60 million Tasmanian Economic Stimulus Package
“There was a conscious decision that we would start [the development] this financial year, said.
“The community hub will commence next calendar year [from January] if we get funding from both the state and federal governments.”
The development failed to secure Commonwealth funding before the last federal election and grant applications in multiple rounds of the National Stronger Regions Fund process have been unsuccessful. before Christmas,” he
Once titles are granted for the health centre, the council will be required to pay the balance of the land purchase price of about $1.35 million to the State Government.
Cr Winter also requested an update at the meeting on the progress of the Snug and Electrona Youth Recreational Facilities project.
Surveys have recommended the project include a new park, zip line, climbing equipment, basketball court and playground.
The council was told that talks are being held on the design of the project, with a recommendation to go before council in coming months.
Councillors were also told last night that Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff submitted a Right to Information request to the council seeking details about a jet ski business at Coningham Beach run by former resources minister Paul Harriss. The new tour business has been criticised by local residents.