Walkway funding still on agenda

THE idea of a Battery Point walkway linking the city and Sandy Bay is still alive, despite the Hobart City Council redirecting $6.8 million set aside for the project to build two bridges.

The council last night agreed to review funding for the controversial project in next year’s capital works program.

Deputy Lord Mayor Ron Chris- tie said the walkway had become a “luxury item” which he didn’t think was needed, now that the University of Tasmania was moving in to the city.

Long-time walkway supporter Alderman Jeff Briscoe said he hoped the push for the project, which was first approved in 2014, could resume next year.

BIG-money projects such as the Battery Point walkway and the “City to Cove” link could still be on the horizon for the Hobart City Council despite funding for both projects being redirected to two new bridges.

To raise the $4.6 million for the construction of a bridge over Tasman Hwy and another over Brooker Ave, the council has taken a razor to its 10-year capital works program.

Funding for the bridges will come from money allocated for the proposed walkway around Battery Point. Last year $6.8 million had been set aside to design, develop and build the $20 million project.

The council has also redirected money allocated for the $7 million plan to link the CBD to the waterfront by a tunnel, lifts and escalators.

But the two proposals won’t disappear from the council’s thoughts with aldermen last night agreeing to review funding in next year’s capital works program and each year after that.

With Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey revoking the leave she took for her successful campaign for a seat in State Parliament and chairing the meeting, Deputy Lord Mayor Ron Christie was back on the floor.

Ald Christie said the walkway had become a “luxury item”.

“Now that UTAS is setting up in the city I don’t think the walkway is really needed . . . it’s going to blow out [the costs] by a lot,” he said.

Alderman Jeff Briscoe, a long-time supporter of the walkway, said he hoped the push for the project could resume next year

The first stage of the walkway project was approved in October 2014. However, Battery Point residents successfully appealed against the plan at the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal.

The City to Cove link was put to council last year and could be included in a Hobart City Deal with the Federal Government.

Ald Helen Burnet said with the increasing push for ferries in Hobart it was important the council kept pursuing the link.

“We need a very strong link from Sullivans Cove to Franklin Square,” she said.

Ald Philip Cocker said the city needed to focus on its stormwater infrastructure.

The council will look at developing a planning zone for the area encompassing the Treasury buildings, Franklin Square, Town Hall, Bond Store, Old Customs House and Maritime Museum as part of a statewide planning scheme.