We’ll move on Mac Point, Gutwein says

A DEVELOPMENT application for office and commercial space at Macquarie Point is being prepared, the Mercury can reveal, as the State Government develops legislation to clarify planning rules for the site.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has told the Mercury several DAs are in the works as progress on the site comes under the spotlight.

They include an as yet unrevealed mixed-use building, Mr Gutwein said, and the previously announced extension of the Intercity Cycleway.

“This will open the site to the public 24/7 for the first time since 1850 and provide a convenient and safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians from as far away as Berriedale, to and from the city and Salamanca,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Another DA for a signifi- road. Lo and behold, two days later it’s torched. An untidy vehicle,” Mr Jacobs said.

The shed that was burnt was at a property recently purchased by one of Mr Clark’s workmates.

Mr Jacobs said it could have been burnt down because Mr Clark was angry with the owner “or just didn’t like untidy sheds”.

Channel volunteer firefighter Peter Monshing told the court he attended four fires near the boundary of Mr Clark’s property that burnt blackberries and a power pole. cant mixed-use building will include a variety of office and commercial uses.”

Details of the proposed new building remain scant, along with how the legislation will unlock the estimated $1 billion of development opportunity at Macquarie Point.

Development on the site has been stunted by planning rules preventing projects such as hotels and restaurants being built in proximity to the nearby sewerage treatment plant.

A City Deal being negotiated with the Federal Government is tipped to include cash for a $40 million Antarctic and science precinct on the site.

The Mercury asked Mr Gutwein how the new laws, first flagged last month, would work.

The Treasurer said draft legislation would be released for community and stakeholder consultation when it was ready.

Mr Monshing said the June 1, 2 and 19 fires were reported about 11pm, and the June 15 fire at 7.38am.

Mr Clark’s lawyer, Ian Arendt, said the issue at the heart of the trial was the identity of the person who lit the fires.

“It’s for that reason that during the course of this trial any evidence that is put before you by the Crown that goes towards identifying Mr Clark I ask that you pay very close attention to it,” Mr Arendt said to the jury.

The trial, before Acting Justice David Porter, continues.

volunteer firefighter,

“It will not override any planning processes and the Hobart City Council will remain as the key decision maker regarding any development applications,” he said.

“The legislation will simply ensure that there is clarity in how the planning rules apply to the site.”

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has spent $15 million of a $45 million Federal Government allocation on remediating the site.

Opposition infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said little had been achieved in the four years since the previous Labor government had secured the funding and begun the clean-up of the site.

“No masterplan, no timelines for development, just spin and propaganda and at least four attempts to relaunch the development project,” Mr O’Byrne said.