A Vision for a Special Place

David Bartlett launched the Sullivans Cove Master Plan, to guide future design and development in one of Hobart’s most special areas.

“Sullivans Cove is a special place for the people of Hobart, and the Master Plan confirms the waterfront’s place as Hobart’s symbolic heart,” Mr Bartlett said.

“It also paints an inspiring and thoughtful vision for developing the area as a place Tasmanians can enjoy and be proud of, for decades to come,” Mr Bartlett said.
 
Mr Bartlett say the Master plan has three key themes and priorities:
 
- It acknowledges the waterfront as a place where living, learning, culture and wisdom come together under the theme of “The Knowledge and Living City”;
 
- It highlights Sullivans Cove’s status as the very heart of our connections with Antarctica, through the theme of “The Polar Gateway”;
 
- And, it develops a plan for strengthening community participation, and connecting the Cove with the rest of Hobart - under the theme of “Integrating Urban Space”.
 
The Premier announced the development of the Master Plan two years ago, and the newly-appointed State Architect, Peter Poulet, started working on it in June 2009.
 
A draft Master Plan was released for public consultation late last year, and was subject to extensive community consultation until March this year.

“This Master Plan recognises the things that make the waterfront such a unique, dynamic place, and identifies new ways to reinvigorate the working port, and enhance the Cove’s public places,” Mr Poulet said today.

The Premier has congratulated Mr Poulet for developing such a comprehensive, forward-thinking plan.

“This is an innovative and visionary plan to help give the people of Hobart an even more enjoyable and sustainable place to celebrate their festivals, their holidays, and their special
Tasmanian lifestyle,” Mr Bartlett said.

“There’s already more than $400-million worth of development planned for the Hobart waterfront, and this vision will enhance it further as a place where Tasmanians want to go and
spend time together,” he said.

Mr Poulet has developed a draft Implementation Strategy, to help turn the Master Plan’s ideas into realistic outcomes.

The Implementation Strategy will be administered by a high-level committee in the Premier’s Department, and will include:

- A review of how the cove is governed, to better integrate planning and decision-making between the city and the Cove;

- Extensive traffic management modelling;

- Comprehensive social and economic modelling, including identifying potential land use opportunities;

- Development plans for key undeveloped sites in the cove;

- An urban improvements program;

- A conservation and public arts policy for the cove.

- A more comprehensive annual program of arts and cultural events.

“We will, of course, include the Hobart City Council, Tasports and the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority in the process to ensure a united, co-operative approach,” Mr Bartlett said.

Mr Bartlett said implementing the Master Plan will drive new development opportunities and infrastructure improvements, and ensure that the waterfront remains a vibrant focal point for Tasmania’s capital city.