Two submissions to redevelop Macquarie Shed No. 1 on Hobart’s waterfront have been received in response to a public invitation for expressions of interest in the redevelopment.
While the design concepts are different, there are some similarities between them, minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, said.
“We are only at stage one of the expressions of interest and public consultation and so we have to be careful not to pre-empt the process,” Sturges said.
Plans and detail of the redevelopment proposals will be put on public display soon and comment sought from interested parties.
The proposals will be displayed on the waterfront near Macquarie Shed No. 1, at Tasports’ office at 1 Franklin Wharf and also on Tasports web site. Feedback forms will be available from Tasports’ offices or can be downloaded from the web site.
“Following the closure of the public comment period, a panel of independent experts will evaluate the proposals against a range of criteria and, having regard to the comments received; establish if the proposals are suitable to proceed to the second stage of the redevelopment project.
“If the panel decides they are suitable, they will be invited to submit a second, more detailed development proposal, details of which will also be displayed for public comment,” Sturges said.
Meanwhile, Tasports is committed to examining the feasibility of converting the adjacent Macquarie No. 2 Shed into a Polar Gateway, with provision for cruise ship visitor facilities.
Sturges said that Tasports would undertake consultation on options for the long-term future use of Macquarie No 2 with stakeholders including the Government, Antarctic Division, CSIRO, the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian public.
He said that in the short-term Macquarie No. 2 Shed would be used as a passenger transfer area for visiting cruise ships and to provide car parking for tenants displaced from Princes Wharf No. 1 Shed, due to major events such as the Taste Festival and the planned redevelopment of that site.
