Securing Tasmania’s Future by Delivering 450 New Homes at the Showground

A MAJORITY LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WILL:

  • Revitalise the Glenorchy Showgrounds, turning it into a vibrant, connected community, making use of this valuable site every day of the year
  • Secure 450 new homes
  • Activate over 400 direct and indirect local jobs in construction, and millions in economic activity.

The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) has developed a Master Plan and Renewal Project for the full development of the Showgrounds, in the heart of Glenorchy.

This includes a range of social and affordable rental dwellings, a new exhibition pavilion, arena and infrastructure, while maintaining agriculture at its heart.

The Renewal Project is a contemporary vision that will create a vibrant, connected community.

The renewal of the Showgrounds will provide significant economic stimulus and long-term community benefits, activating $234 million in economic activity over the next four years, and creating over 400 direct and indirect jobs in the building and construction industry.

When all homes are completed, the Showgrounds will be home to up to 1000 residents, further supporting the activation of the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor.

We will revitalise the Showgrounds, making use of this valuable site every day of the year

A majority Liberal Government will provide $42.15 million to commence the immediate redevelopment of the Showgrounds.

This will include –

  • A new exhibition pavilion;
  • An upgraded arena;
  • Infrastructure upgrades to support the construction of 450 new homes and activate millions in economic activity at the site.

RAST will seek to commence early works and planning applications immediately, with construction of infrastructure expected to be completed by late 2022.

Securing 450 new homes

The Tasmanian Liberals understand that land for housing is needed for more homes right now.

The Renewal Project supports in excess of 450 new homes.

Up to 150 of these will be affordable, including 60 new social houses, 60 affordable rental homes, and up to 30 affordable HomeShare dwellings for low income first home buyers.

Around 100 of these homes will be one-bedroom given the high demand in the Glenorchy area for small, single dwellings, close to existing transport links and the social infrastructure of Glenorchy.

RAST will transfer the land, at a value of approximately $12.5 million, to Housing Tasmania for the purpose of managing the construction of these 150 dwellings.

Housing construction for Stage 1 will commence in 2022 and be completed by 2024.

RAST will also sell land titles to the private sector to construct the other 300 private residences on the Showgrounds site.

The new look Royal Hobart Showgrounds

Investment by the Tasmanian Liberals in the Showgrounds Renewal Project will deliver a fantastic exhibitor, visitor, tourism and local community facility, including –

  • A ground floor exhibition hall for animals, supported by external hard-stand spaces and wash-down areas;
  • A 1500-person tiered seating stand and all-weather seating protection; and
  • A courtyard for commercial activities.

The roof of the pavilion will have 2000 square metres of solar panels and drainage to capture rainwater for green space use.

The turf arena will be suitable for multi-purpose use and large enough to host a wide range of equestrian, demonstration and competition show events.

Public green space is a central feature of the site, representing about 40 per cent of the total site area.

Car parking for over 1000 spaces will be available.

The Showgrounds will become a vibrant, community site, every day of the year.

The local community will benefit from a brand new Show Pavilion, with community spaces for local community events and entertainment.

In terms of emergency, this facility can also be used as an emergency evacuation, distribution and recovery centre for Hobart and surrounding areas.

The Show goes on

The investment will help secure the long-term future of the nearly 200-year old Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, and its Royal Hobart Show.

It allows for a complete renewal and upgrade of the Showgrounds, so it can continue to operate for the next 200 years.

Current work underway right now:

  • Building the new Glenorchy Ambulance Station
  • $66 million upgrade of the DEC and home for our new NBL team
  • Funding a new multi-indoor sports facility at Wilkinson’s Point
  • Delivering the $1.7 billion, 10-year Hobart City deal (with the Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough Councils)
  • $28 million for the construction of a new Child and Family Learning Centre, including at Glenorchy
  • $16.5 million school revitalisation, including primary schools in Glenorchy, Goodwood, Austins Ferry and Collinsvale, and Cosgrove High School)
  • $1.4 million to deliver a brand new kindergarten at Bowen Road Primary
  • $640,000 to deliver a brand new kindergarten at Glenorchy Primary
  • $20 million for the revitalisation of Cosgrove High School

Our record in Government:

  • Established the Glenorchy Jobs Hub
  • Provided $1.5 million to RAST to support its Master Plan for the Showgrounds site
  • $500,000 towards the Revitalisation of the Glenorchy CBD
  • $200,00 to support the operations of the Moonah Multicultural Hub
  • $12.5 million upgrade to the Elwick race track
  • Over 1000 houses delivered since coming to Government and 1500 more to come by June 2023
  • Waiver of historic Commonwealth Housing Debt

Labor-Green record:

Under the last Labor-Green Government between 2010 and 2014:

  • The unemployment rate reached 8.6%
  • 10,400 jobs were lost between February 2011 and October 2013
  • Youth unemployment reached a high of 20.6% in December 2013

Costings:

$42.15 million to support infrastructure works at the site (subject to planning approval).