Battle to stop sale of key site

A PETITION started by lord mayoral candidate Anna Reynolds to oppose the sale of the historic Treasury has garnered close to 500 signatures in 10 days.

Alderman Reynolds says a groundswell is building for a conversation about public access to the CBD buildings.

The State Government will instigate an expression of interest process to sell the prime location property for a figure expected to top $20 million.

But Ald Reynolds said the history behind the buildings, including the possible drafting of parts of the Australian Constitution by Andrew Inglis Clark, needed to be understood.

“There’s a view that these buildings are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually have a really fantastic public space with some commercial spaces as well,” Ald Reynolds told the Mercury.

“But a largely public space in the heart of the city in possibly the most exceptional Georgian buildings in the country.”

A range of uses for the buildings have been suggested, from a hotel to a wing of TMAG. Ald Reynolds has suggested Customs House at Sydney’s Circular Quay could be a model, with its mix of restau- rants, bars, a library and meeting spaces.

Historic collections stored by TMAG, the University of Tasmania and other institutions could also find a place to be displayed, Ald Reynolds said.

“That’s the thing about living in Australia’s second-oldest city, there is lots of amazing historic material that is currently just tucked away in storage,” she said.

Hobart City Council is set to consider a report on whether the buildings should be nominated for the National Heritage List in coming months.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said this week the EOI process would be opened by the end of the year.

He said it would consider how to best repurpose the buildings while still providing access for Tasmanians to see its significant heritage assets, such as the former office of the premier.

Developers have told the Mercury they would be interested in converting the centrally located buildings, with a hotel the most widely tipped proposal.

The petition will be presented to State Parliament, which will need to approve any sale.

Ald Reynolds said the Hodgman Government did not have a mandate to sell the building.