24 February 2022

Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Hobart City Deal continuing to deliver for Tasmanians three years on

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is getting on with the job of driving investment into Tasmania to make it an even better place to live and work through the Hobart City Deal. 

The 10-year, now $1.72 billion Hobart City Deal was signed on 24 February 2019, three years ago today, and it has set the blueprint for the greater Hobart City and its future. Despite Labor’s silly, predictable whining, the partners are delivering.

I am pleased to advise that in the past three years work has progressed on a number of key components including:

• Funding of $78 million has been allocated to Macquarie Point for the necessary infrastructure and remediation works that will allow the project to be completed;
• The new Bridgewater Bridge tender has been awarded, designs published and the bridge is now awaiting planning approval before works can commence at the end of the year;
• The second stage of the Antarctic and Science Precinct business case is now finalised and the Australian Government is considering the merits of a relocation for AAD and CSIRO to Macquarie Point;
• Government has committed to announcing a form of transport for the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor by the end of this year. This project is on track to be activated between 2024-2029;
• An extra 43 express bus services between Kingborough and Hobart started in January 2022, providing more travel choice for the growing number of people commuting between the southern suburbs and Hobart;
• As well as new express bus services, the Southern Projects initiative includes a transit lane on the Southern Outlet, bus priority measures on Macquarie and Davey Streets, and park and ride facilities at Huntingfield and Firthside, which are currently under construction;
• The Government has implemented a wildly successful Derwent Ferrry, and has announced even before the end of the trial that it will continue service between Bellerive and Hobart and is looking at options to extend the service;
• The $350 million South East Traffic Solution is taking shape with the airport interchange, Sorell Bypass and Midway Point projects in full swing and ahead of time;
• The Government’s $83.5 million purchase and upgrade of the Derwent Entertainment Centre as a world class entertainment and sporting facility is now complete and the development of a community four-court multisport facility will be unveiled shortly;
• $42.15 million to support the first stage of a major housing project at the Hobart Showgrounds is progressing well;
• The Greater Hobart Committee structure is established and running;
• 100 new social housing dwellings have or are being delivered under the Federal Government’s social and affordable housing initiative; and
• New investment in retail precincts in New Town, Elizabeth Street and North Hobart is occurring.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has made a significant investment of more than $400 million to the City Deal of which just under $130 million is allocated for a range of transport initiatives.

The Hobart City Deal represents a partnership between the State Government, Federal Government and the four inner city councils to implement our shared vision to guide and encourage investment to leverage Hobart’s natural amenity and build on its position as a vibrant, liveable and connected global city.

The benefits of the City Deal are expected to extend well beyond the scope of the Agreement and multiplier effects will add significant value beyond the investment over time.

We are proud of the Hobart City Deal achievements to date and look forward to continuing to work with our City Deal partners to keep the momentum going.

More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson

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