In October 2008, the Premier David Bartlett released a review of planning and development issues around the Hobart waterfront that will help address key issues of public concern.
The report was compiled by the heads of relevant State Government agencies following consultations with key stakeholder groups.
It includes an analysis of key emerging issues and outlines potential future direction options for the Government to consider.
The review contains a template for development on the waterfront and it puts consultation at the forefront of development considerations. It ensures full public consultation and gives the community confidence that the Government will not be going to expressions of interest for development until such time as a full public consultation has occurred.
The Premier wants the people of Tasmania to have their say on what they want at each waterfront development location.
“I believe the waterfront debate so far has been far too much about development opportunities and not enough about public amenity, public utility, public open space and public thoroughfare, Mr Bartlett said.
“These are the things that I am prepared to spend public money on, and I’ll be doing so, but only after the people of Tasmania and particularly the people of Hobart are able to express their views.
“I want to see more public space, bikeways, a promenade, good pedestrian access and I want to see public meeting spaces that bring people down to the waterfront without necessarily commercial interests.
“I want the waterfront to be a meeting place for Tasmanians.
“To do that we need public open space and genuine amenity, and I am more interested achieving that for Tasmanians, and in doing that making the development opportunities far more valuable for Tasmanians than launching into ad-hoc development projects.”
See waterfront report for further information
Since the Government announced its intentions to reform processes for waterfront development, there has been significant progress on a number of important projects. A key feature of these projects has been the strong involvement of the community at all stages in the development process.
These projects will be important in revitalising the Hobart Waterfront and will significantly improve the public amenity, public utility and public space within the precinct.
Parliament Square
In April 2009, the Government launched a public exhibition of the short listed design concepts for the parliament square site.
Public feedback on how each design concept responds to the project's Design Principles will be used to help the evaluation panel assess the tender proposals and select a preferred developer.
It is expected a preferred developer will be announced in mid 2009.
The public exhibition of the short listed design concepts represents the final stage of a detailed preferred developer selection process. This include a preliminary registration of interest process, a more detailed expression of interest and finally a request for tender process, including final site conceptual designs.
Each of these stages have been accompanied by a comprehensive consultation process.
Further details on the Parliament Square Project are available from http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/parliamentsquare.
Princes Wharf
On 23 December 2008, the Premier launched the community consultation process for the renewal of Princes Wharf.
An important component of the Princes Wharf Renewal Project is the direct involvement of the Hobart City Council. The redevelopment of the Princes Wharf is a clear demonstration of State and local Government working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the Tasmanian community.
The Government is very pleased with the response to the community consultation on the future of Princes Wharf.
Around 150 people have participated in a variety of important events ranging from individual stakeholder meetings to groups of 40 or more.
A diverse range of ideas have emerged from these discussions as well as some challenges from competing interests.
The prevailing sentiment has been to retain the site in public ownership and for public use with improved flexibility and functionality to let us host a range of indoor and outdoor events and activities year round.
It has been a very constructive process that has built on our previous knowledge.
The next stage will be to develop Draft Designs based on the consultation feedback. A Request for Tender for a Design Team is out now and Draft Designs will be taken to exhibition for public viewing later this year. Further information about the Princes Wharf Shed 1 renewal is on the project website http://www2.treasury.tas.gov.au/princeswharf.
Franklin Wharf
Earlier this year the Premier announced $1million for a range of measures to improve public access to the water’s edge in Sullivans Cove, including the development of a broad waterside walk, and better connections between Salamanca Place and Hunter Street.
Franklin Wharf is the location of a number of important events during the year, such as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race festivities and the Wooden Boat Festival, and connects a string of year-round attractions, including ferries and restaurants along its length.
It also plays an important role in linking both sides of Sullivans Cove.
The consultation document Managing Franklin Wharf as a Shared Space was released by the Premier on 23 February 2009 for public comment.
The Sullivan’s Cove Waterfront Authority will report in late May on the feedback received and consider the comments as part of developing the Franklin Wharf Management Plan.
It is anticipated that work on renewing Franklin Wharf will commence in early 2010.
Further details on the Franklin Wharf project are available from http://www.waterfront.tas.gov.au/our_priorities/fw_shared_space.html
State Architect
The appointment of Tasmania’s first State architect was announced on 19 May 2008.
The position has been created to provide strategic and independent advice to the Tasmanian Government on matters relating to planning, urban design, building architecture and built heritage including the Government’s own building and infrastructure projects.
One of the immediate tasks for the new State Architect will be to lead the preparation of a master plan for Hobart’s waterfront, as well as the development of best practice guidelines around specific design and sustainability issues.
The State Architect, will be engaging with all stakeholders in the waterfront development to engender trust and ownership of issues critical to an iconic environment.
The page has been produced by The Department of Premier and Cabinet. Questions concerning its content may be directed by email to webmaster@dpac.tas.gov.au
You are directed to information on how your personal information is protected. You are directed to a disclaimer and copyright notice governing the information provided.