PLANS IN MOTION FOR REDEVELOPMENT
A NEW and improved showground is a step closer with the development application for stage 3 of the Hobart Showground redevelopment lodged with the Glenorchy City Council.
Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania CEO Scott Gadd said the $250m redevelopment would include a new showground and pavilion, housing developments, visitor attractions and a 1500-seat auditorium.
“The event precinct will be able to deliver the show along with a multitude of other events,” Mr Gadd said.
“It will be virtually a new precinct within our city, one third the size of the Hobart CBD.”
Mr Gadd said the redevelopment of the site was well overdue.
“We came here in 1905, it’s been developed in an ad hoc fashion,” Mr Gadd said.
“The last building was built in the 80s and since then it’s been Band-Aid maintenance, some of the buildings were here in 1905 when we arrived.
“None of those issues were around then but now there are layers to work through and they’re hard to work through on a site as old as this.”
He said it wasn’t costeffective to continue maintaining the old infrastructure.
“Our current site is very tired, it’s old and it’s falling apart, all the infrastructure is failing,” Mr Gadd said.
“It doesn’t makes sense to keep throwing good money at it.
“What does make sense is to start again and build a facility which is fit for purpose.”
Mr Gadd said the redevelopment would allow for the space to be used for more events and more often.
“It’s very exciting, it will be a very robust building, we hope it’s utilised every week all year round, not just the show,” Mr Gadd said.
“We’ll have markets and we’ll program as much into it as we possibly can so artists and musicians can play.
“Bottom line is, if an events space can deliver the Royal Hobart Show it can deliver anything.”
It’s hoped the work on the site will be able to start early next year.
“The first phase will see the site cleared ahead of construction work,” Mr Gadd said.
“The entire construction phase will proceed in a series of stages, with the first stage including an ultra-modern pavilion and arena for the Royal Hobart Show and other events at the showground.”