Tender for advice next step towards Treasury sale

THE State Government will next month advertise for a consultant to provide “specialist advice” on the sale of Hobart’s historic Treasury buildings.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein last year announced the Gov- ernment would sell the eight Murray St buildings for an expected return of $20 million.

Earlier this month he said the Treasury and Finance Department was completing due diligence on the site with plans to call for tenders for specialist advice in March.

Mr Gutwein said the Government would open a registration of interest phase later this year and there would be further opportunities for public engagement.

A community campaign to save the buildings kicked off last year, led by long-serving National Trust Council member Chris Merridew.

Mr Merridew said yesterday an open day at the site held in November had strengthened support for the complex to remain in public hands.

“Since that open day weekend there has been a ground- swell for developments of concepts of appropriate exhibitions or experiences that could bring so much of our colonial history to life in the venues where it took place – in the 1800s – as opposed to Port Arthur where only the relics remain,” Mr Merridew said.