Michael Ferguson,Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing
Work will soon kick-off on the redevelopment of the Hobart Showgrounds which will modernise the site and facilities and open-up land for more housing as well as community facilities and local amenities.
The final $42.15 million agreement on the redevelopment funding was today signed between the Tasmanian Liberal Government and Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, meaning work can now begin in earnest.
The redevelopment will revitalise the Hobart Showgrounds, delivering a new showground pavilion, arena, site infrastructure, commercial precinct, large areas of public open space, and residential housing.
It will provide new facilities for community, business, sporting, tourism and commercial uses, and be designed for high levels of utilisation with events, activities, shows, trade shows, markets, music, conferences and commercial activities.
The redevelopment will not only see facilities at the aging site upgraded and modernised, but over 450 new affordable homes that promise to bring the area to life like it has never been before.
This is part of our plan to secure Tasmania’s future by taking unprecedented action to assist the housing needs of Tasmanians.
Yesterday we took the next step by announcing a massive 10-year housing package, in excess of $1.5 billion, to build on our existing reforms and take further action to provide affordable housing.
The showground redevelopment will mean the establishment of a new community in a prime location, close to amenities, transport, schools, recreation facilities and attractions.
This number of houses will make a significant contribution to Hobart’s overall housing stock, in a highly accessible area close to employment, shops, schools, and transport networks including the future activation of the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor.
Overall, the redevelopment is expected to encourage more that $230 million in investment on new facilities and housing in the area in the next four years alone, and in even better news, it will create up to 200 jobs in the building and construction industry. It also assists us in our goal of delivering more housing for Tasmanians by delivering 150 lots of land.
This level of investment will provide significant opportunities for local businesses and suppliers to benefit from the redevelopment.
I look forward to seeing the project get underway shortly and its completion by early 2025.
