Heritage sites at heart of debate

Embrace potential of our historic buildings, urges tourism council

AN independent panel should be established to look at potential new uses for current and former government-used heritage buildings such as the Treasury Building in Hobart and the St John’s Street offices in Launceston, the state’s tourism lobby says.

And, it says, this should include a discussion on whether the CSIRO site on Hobart’s waterfront could be the city’s version of Sydney’s Barangaroo and if Salamanca should be extended to the Battery Point foreshore.

As debate rages over whether the Treasury building should become a high-end hotel — given taxpayers spend more than $200,000 each year to maintain it for the 200 or so public servants who occupy the building — Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said that in 2022 he would like to see the iconic building take on a new use — which should be decided by the market.

“I would love to see it become a mixed-use precinct in four years,” he said. “It’s a very exciting opportunity. There are far better uses for it than it has now.”

Mr Martin said rather than the State Government handling the expressions of interest process, independent experts should be tasked with looking at new uses for the Treasury Building.

He said Launceston’s St John’s Street offices and Customs House were other historic buildings that could be better used.

“But we have to look to the market to express interest for them. The debate needs to be depoliticised,” he said.

“You have to use independent experts to see what it [the potential options] look like, test the opportunity by using these experts to test the market.”

Mr Martin said the conversation about whether the CSIRO should be moved to Macquarie Point should again be had.

“Now that we have that Antarctic and Science Precinct at Macquarie Point surely it makes more sense to relocate the CSIRO to there and look at a Barangaroo-type development for that site and extend Salamanca and Battery Point.”

Tasmanian Heritage Council member and architect specialising in the re-use of historic buildings Genevieve Lilley said Tasmania couldn’t be afraid of new uses for its heritage buildings.

“People need to understand that these buildings are a huge economic benefit for Tasmania,” she said.

“They make Tasmania unique, why wouldn’t you use them.”

Treasurer and Planning Minister Peter Gutwein said the community would be listened to regarding the future of the Treasury Building.

“The Government is open to considering other uses for the building and understanding the views of the community about the future use of the building,” he said.

“The building is also heritage listed.

“Any works would require the approval of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.”

These [Treasury, St Johns St offices and Customs House] are heritage buildings that could be fantastic with a new use Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive LUKE MARTIN