Hobart’s City Deal push gaining speed

HOBART Lord Mayor Sue Hickey will continue the council’s campaign for a City Deal when she and her interstate counterparts converge on Sydney for the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.

Ald Hickey and Hobart general manager Nick Heath will attend the two-day conference, which starts today. It is one of three meetings they have each year.

At their last meeting in March, the eight mayors discussed issues such as city safety and security.

Ald Hickey said this time they would be discussing issues such as “smart cities”.

“There’s a lot of stuff that we will be talking about that I believe we can use to help shape the future of Hobart,” Ald Hickey said.

Federal Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor will ad- dress the capital city mayors and will be discussing City Deals, a spokeswoman confirmed.

“Across the board, Lord Mayors have shown great enthusiasm for the City Deal model,” she said.

Launceston and Townsville have already been awarded City Deals while Hobart is among the frontrunners to be the next cab off the rank.

The University of Tasmania’s proposed $400 million STEM centre in the CBD could be the centrepiece of any deal, but is yet to receive funding commitments from either state or federal governments.

A Hobart City Deal also could include a light rail system and improved public transport, as well as the Macquarie Point development.

Ald Hickey said she would continue to push Hobart’s case when she spoke to Mr Taylor in Sydney.

“The City Deal is just that thing that will give us an explosion of opportunities,” she said.

“If we get that model it will be a massive change for the city.

“I had a chat with Angus Taylor in Launceston and that was very productive and hopefully I can get another chance to have a chat with him while we are in Sydney. If so, I will be doing my best to continue to push our case there if I get the opportunity.”

The meeting finishes tomorrow.