Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged the Tasmanian government to “move forward” with the development of privileged land on Hobart’s boardwalk in which it invested tens of millions of dollars when it was last in government a decade ago.
Key points:
- Macquarie Point is a 9.3-acre site close to Hobart’s boardwalk and CBD
- In 2021, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation announced the award for the development of part of the site into residential and visitor accommodation.
- Earlier this week, it was announced that Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina would be leaving the organization.
The federal and state Labor governments signed an agreement to develop Macquarie Point in 2012 with Albanese, then Minister of Infrastructure, who pledged $ 50 million to repair the site.
Visiting Hobart on Wednesday, Albanese described the progress of the past 10 years as “creepy”.
“It was an encouraging proposal that came up at the time,” he said.
“It was something that I as a minister, with responsibility for cities and urban policy, accepted because what I saw was that Macquarie Point had the same potential as an area like Barangaroo in Sydney or Southbank in Melbourne.
“The fact that Macquarie Point is a shame right now … we can do so much better.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with MP Julie Collins in Hobart. (The Mercury: Nikki Davis-Jones)
Macquarie Point is a 9.3-acre site close to Hobart’s boardwalk and CBD.
Throughout its history, it has served as a gas plant, slaughterhouse, carpentry, railway depot and wastewater treatment plant, and has required extensive repairs to enable development.
Mona also published a plan for the Macquarie Point site in 2016. (Supplied by: Fender Katsalidis Architects with associated rush \ wright)
In 2021, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation announced the award for the development of a portion of the site into residential and visitor accommodation and recently announced that a local brewery would redevelop The Goods Shed event space.
In recent years, short-term “activations” have also been announced, such as a community garden and a bike lane.
Mary Massina (L) will leave the organization in July. (Facebook: Macquarie Point Development Corporation)
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Jeremy Rockliff and State Growth Secretary Guy Barnett announced that Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina would leave the organization in mid-July.
In a joint statement, the couple said Ms Massina told State Growth it was time to look at the project again.
An aerial view of Macquarie Point development on Hobart’s boardwalk. (Facebook: Macquarie Point Development Corporation)
It came after Mr Barnett announced an independent review of the site following allegations in parliament of staff harassment and inappropriate spending.
Ms. Massina was fired last week in a separate internal grievance process.
On Wednesday, Mr Barnett said it was too early to answer whether Mrs Massina would receive a payment on her July departure from the organization.
“He still works for the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, he’s on leave right now, so that question is premature,” Barnett said.
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