Macquarie Point chief outlines plans
A HOBART City Deal and the environmental auditor signing off on remediation is required for work on the transformation of Macquarie Point to be well under way by 2022.
Macquarie Point chief executive Mary Massina told the Mercury that in four years, provided the right steps are taken to stimulate development on the site, a number of projects on the former rail yards as part of Mona’s reset vision will either be completed or well and truly under way.
“The site will look and feel completely different from today [in 2022],” she said.
“The Intercity Cycleway extension will be complete. The transport corridor has been preserved for multimodal transport options such as light rail and, by 2022, the corporation expects the route will be confirmed and works commenced.
“Work on the Antarctic and Science Precinct will be well under way, centralising services and creating an incubator of innovation. The economic, social and scientific benefits of world-class research facilities at Macquarie Point will be multiplied with forecast growth in the sector.
Ms Massina said a key part of the site in 2022 would be the existing goods shed, which would undergo a refurbishment that maintained its original structure.
And activity will be well and truly under way on Australia’s first ever National Truth and Reconciliation Art Park, with Ms Massina revealing that an “interim park” will be installed as the final park is finalised.
“The formal consultation process with Tasmania’s Aboriginal community on the Truth and Reconciliation Art Park will be established in the form of a partnership group,” she said.
“Right along Macquarie Point, Evans Street frontage will be alive with activity. This will include the Gateway Park, the site of the former cold store site, which will be humming with interim uses including culture, design and art, as well as community gardens.”
Since Mona revealed its 2050 vision for the 9.3ha site, the only movement on the site has been the demolition of the former cold store site.
Ms Massina said two things needed to happen for large-scale work to happen on the site, the long-awaited Hobart City Deal to lure tenants for the Antarctic and Science Precinct and remediation of the Macquarie Point sewage treatment plant to be signed off by the environmental auditor to give certainty to investors.
A spokeswoman for the Assistant Minister for Cities, Angus Taylor, said talks on a City Deal were still taking place. “Discussions around a possible Hobart City Deal are progressing positively,” she said.
The site will look and feel completely different from today [in 2022]. Macquarie Point chief executive MARY MASSINA