For showground

A HOTEL would be built on the site of the Hobart showground as part of a raft of proposed changes to make the site more economically sustainable.

There are also plans to build medium-density housing on the Glenorchy property, offering affordable accommodation to alleviate Hobart’s housing crisis.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania has started discussions with prospective hotel and affordable accommodation providers to determine interest.

Society chief executive officer Scott Gadd said the organisation remained committed to staging the annual Royal Hobart Show and accommodating other community events, but there was room for other ventures on the 17ha footprint.

He said radical changes were needed to maintain an income stream and keep the Hobart show alive.

“We are committed to the show, but we have to find other ways to make money,” he said.

The mooted hotel would be 3.5 stars, and could also accommodate office space.

While there are not yet any detailed plans, Mr Gadd said a hotel could possibly rise to four or five storeys and enjoy views.

“Once you go up to the second storey you have river views and mountain views… residential would be the same.”

He said affordable and social housing on the site could also rise to the same height, and some would be available under a “pathway to purchase” option.

The project would require government involvement and the society would want an existing service provider to run the housing scheme.

Mr Gadd said the constant flow of homeless people at the showgrounds this year highlighted the need for more affordable housing.

“We saw the hand,” he said.

Additional services, such as a cafe and other amenities, could also be built.

Mr Gadd said residential living in an event space would be appealing for many people.

“We want to make a community around the event precinct.”

Shelter Tasmania executive officer Pattie Chugg said she would like to learn more details about the plan, but there was a chronic shortage of affordable rental properties for low-income Tasmanians.

“This development, like other housing proposals seeking government funding, needs to be considered under the existing Affordable Housing Strategy and in consultation with the housing and homelessness sector who are experts in building and managing housing as well as supporting tenants,” she said.

“Any properties built with government funds need to have clear accountability and remain a community asset.”

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said plans for any type of accommodation on the site would require a need first- change to current zoning.

“We are keen to engage with the show society for a good outcome for them and also the community in terms of public amenity… conceptually what they have outlined would involve planning changes,” she said.

The plans to further activate the site follows a meeting between the society’s board and senior staff, which identified the organisation was asset rich but cash poor.

They identified the 17ha site was under-utilised, as the Royal Hobart Show has never required such a large footprint.

Mr Gadd said Thursday’s crowd of 10,000 for the opening day of the show proved the event was still viable, but costs were rising.

The biggest price hikes this year for the society was power, which went up 100 per cent, and insurance which increased by $100,000.

“The world of compliance and safety we live in rolls in a whole wave of costs, and they will only get worse,” he said.

The society is also awaiting a planning decision on another big-box style development next to Bunnings.

The State Government has already supported the show this year through a $1.5 million grant, which will help build a new pavilion.