$40m injects new life into showground
THE owners of the Hobart Showground say it is full steam ahead for the precinct’s redevelopment, following state budget allocation of more than $40m for the project.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania is expected to lodge a development application with Glenorchy City Council soon for a new pavilion and arena at the site.
Show society chief executive Scott Gadd said an application for a specific area plan amendment to enable housing to be built there would then be submitted soon after.
Mr Gadd said that would end up going to the Tasmanian Planning Commission and, if approved, a development application would be lodged for housing.
The budget assigned $42.15m of funding for the
showground project, providing for the new pavilion and arena, plus in-ground infrastructure for housing.
Of the funding allocation, $25m is to be delivered in 2021-22.
Mr Gadd said it was expected work would start on the new pavilion and arena by February next year, first involving demolition of much of the site as it currently stands.
“We’re trying to get that all done within two years,’’ he said. “We think it’s doable.
“As part of the deal, as soon as the housing approval is done, we will sign over six lots to the government (for social housing).
“In order to achieve cashflow throughout the build, another six lots will go to market, and after that we will drip-feed lots subject to market demand.”
Under a masterplan for the showground, about 450 new homes would be built on the site, including 150 to be designated for social housing.
The show society will transfer a portion of the land to Housing Tasmania, which will manage the construction of the 150 homes.
Premier Peter Gutwein recently said the renewal of the showground would provide an economic boost over the next four years, while boosting housing supply.