Close to signing City Deal

HOBART’S City Deal is expected to be signed in the next two weeks.

Originally slated to be locked in by the end of last year, hopes of finalising the deal have been disrupted by the holiday period.

Hobart’s four main urban councils — Hobart, Kingborough, Glenorchy and Clarence — have each approved the draft deal in closed sessions.

It is awaiting final sign-off by federal Cities Minister Alan Tudge and state Treasurer Peter Gutwein. Mr Tudge is overseas until Tuesday next week, while Mr Gutwein is on leave until Monday.

The contents of the deal have not yet been made public but the key elements floated to date include $461 million for the Bridgewater Bridge, the $400 million University of Tasmania STEM centre, a light rail system and modern public transport as well as redevelopment of Macquarie Point, including an Antarctic precinct.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said he expected the deal would be finalised by the end of the month. Federal Labor has promised to honour any deal signed before the upcoming federal election.