Let’s have a capital idea

HOBART is a victim of politics and an obstinate refusal by some to accept it as Tasmania’s capital.

This problem has its roots in colonial settlement and was at epic proportions in the 1980s, but is now seriously debilitating and wasting the spoils of the relatively good times of recent years.

A cultural and economic transformation is happening in Hobart due to investment in the Tasmania brand by Mona owner David Walsh, a tourism boom led by a tide of Chinese visitors, an education boom fuelled by overseas university students, and a housing boom created by the city’s reputation as a desirable place to live and visit.

This comes on the back of a willingness to adapt to change brought about by social media, the internet and a more global outlook, which has enabled Tasmanian businesses to target niche markets to attract custom and to export premium goods and services.

There is a realisation that what is best about Tasmania is wild, local and human. The things that keep us living here are what premium niche markets crave: our lifestyle and integrity, communities, beaches, forests, towns and farms.

There is also a realisation that protecting these values is in our social, economic and environmental interests. And it’s working. Launceston was once the commercial heart of Tasmania, but in the 2000s economist Bruce Felmingham revealed statistics showing Hobart, derided as a public service city, had surpassed it in private enterprise. I suspect this trend continues.

I don’t raise this to gloat, but as a fact. Hobart has momentum. Developers clamour to get a slice of the action, and most face fierce interrogation from locals, who demand projects do not destroy the brand.

Developers who do not comply or consult walk away. Those who embrace the brand will be rewarded with long-term profits and earn the pride of Tasmanians, which has been shown time and again to be passionately loyal and supportive.

Dreams such as the Macquarie Point Truth and Reconciliation Art Park, the northern suburbs transport corridor, a university art and science museum, River Derwent commuter ferries and The Springs hotel/ whiskey distillery have overwhelming community support and could position Hobart as a cultural beacon in the southern hemisphere. HOBART

needs state and federal funds to complement the private investment so as to generate the economies of scale required to be a more significant player in global niche markets.

The capital should be the flag-bearer and drive statewide economic recovery. The opposite is happening. Public funding is spread thinly across the island due to pork-barrelling designed by governments to get their candidates elected.

Funding fails to get bang for its buck as white elephants and underused services and infrastructure prevail.

This week’s Federal Budget included $400 million for the Bass Highway in the North, part of a Roads of Strategic Importance program better named the Roads of Strategic Importance for the Government to Secure Marginal Seats.

The Budget continues the $172 million Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, largely for the North, gives cash for northern freight rail, $20 million for fruit fly monitoring, and funding for 500 bachelor and 1000 sub-bachelor places at the University of Tasmania’s Burnie and Launceston campuses.

Pork-barrelling has resulted in highways running for miles in the North with barely a car on them, and hospitals being expanded that should have been serving local needs.

It happens at a state level, too, with the Government recently pledging hundreds of millions on a new northern prison and on transport infrastructure in Launceston and the Tamar Valley.

In an about-face from the strategy for the Royal Hobart Hospital to function as a tertiary hospital to complement regional services, the Government centralised administration in Launceston.

The Launceston General Hospital’s director of surgery quit this year, leaving the North and North-West without a vascular specialist. Spinal and neurology specialists also left the North, prompting the Australian Medical Association to warn that recruiting specialists there was almost impossible.

To attract and keep specialists, Tasmania must centralise services to maintain a critical mass of surgeons and physicians, who benefit from collegial links and contribute by teaching young doctors. POLITICAL

motives have left Tasmania without a stand-alone AFL team, and instead two Melbourne clubs play a handful of games in the North and South.

The AFL says it wants one team to play in the North and South. Disaster awaits because funds are stretched and the club inevitably lacks the cohesion and allegiance brought by regular local games.

A Tasmanian team should be based in the capital. It’s difficult, but true.

I don’t arrive at this opinion out of parochialism. I have lived and worked for years in the North-West, South and North, and love aspects of all three.

The regions need support, but to keep directing funding according to political agendas will squander any hope of this state achieving its potential and leave Hobart like the half-done spare room that we always wanted to renovate but never found the time, money or inclination to finish.