Hobart Lord Mayor takes the Macquarie Wharf funding stoush to Canberra

Published on 03 July 2024

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie have met with the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek in Canberra to discuss the Macquarie Wharf redevelopment and trying to find an immediate end to the funding dispute.

They reiterated the importance of the Antarctic sector to the Greater Hobart economy and the ambition for Hobart to grow its knowledge economy.

Cr Reynolds said it was a beneficial meeting that also highlighted serious concerns.

“The meeting was an opportunity to raise the importance of this issue being resolved and learn more about some of the potential challenges that need to be solved,” Cr Reynolds said.

“It was concerning to learn that no detailed costing of the proposed project has been made available for the federal decision maker.

“We are calling on the state government to provide more information available on the project to the federal authorities and other key stakeholders.

“It's so important that fresh perspectives and open minds are brought to the discussions to see it resolved at the earliest opportunity.

“The longer this takes to be resolved, the more damage is done to Hobart and Tasmania’s reputation as an Antarctic gateway.

“This issue is continuing to cause a significant economic threat to Hobart and indeed Tasmania.”

Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie called for an urgent resolution.

“This impasse between the Federal and State governments over the facilities for the RSV Nuyina, and the attempt by TasPorts to price-gouge, is threatening Hobart’s status as the Australian, and indeed, key international gateway to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean,” Mr Wilkie said.

“If Tasmania were to lose the Australian Antarctic Program it would genuinely be a dreadful blow to the Tasmanian economy and community.

“While I do urge the Federal Government to bring more to the table, the onus is well and truly on the State Government to intervene and direct TasPorts to reach a compromise with the Australian Antarctic Division if we are to keep our status as a gateway to Antarctica.”