Lisa Singh

Will Hodgman and his government are throwing away one of Hobart's great urban development opportunities of the 21st century. 

The State Liberals have abandoned MONA’s original vision for Macquarie Point and replaced it with a visionless “masterplan” prioritising apartment development instead cultural growth.

Not only have they seemingly condemned Macquarie Point to become Hobart’s great white elephant, they have also refused to allow Tasmanians a say on the new masterplan.

In 2012 the Federal Labor Government provided the Tasmanian Government with $50 million to remediate Macquarie Point and allow the precinct to reach its fullest potential.

At both levels of government, Labor understands that Macquarie Point is not just a Hobart asset but a national asset.

MONA’s plan for the precinct understood this as well and turned Macquarie Point into a peoples’ art park, with a centrepiece light display and installation celebrating Tasmania’s aboriginal heritage.

MONA’s proposal caught fire in the imagination of the Tasmanian public, opening up their eyes and ideas to the potential of Macquarie Point to improve Hobart’s liveability and sustainability while boosting the Tasmanian economy.

After wasting time for four and a half years, the Liberals are now wasting Macquarie Point by backing a bland, stereotypical development plan that is generating no public comments, apart from disappointment.

I call on the Liberals to reconsider their visionless plan and ensure an open and transparent process is followed for such an important site.

The Macquarie Point development will not leave a legacy for five years, or 10 years, but for 50 years or 100 years.

We must make the most of it.

FRIDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2018

MEDIA CONTACT:  TAIMUS WERNER-GIBBINGS

Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.