Campbell Street TasTAFE building/Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts

In Question Time today, I was asked a question regarding the TasTAFE building in Campbell Street. After Question Time, I reviewed the Hansard and I formed the view that I had not provided an adequate response. At the earliest opportunity I corrected the record by providing further information to the House.

There is no doubt that the Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts project is an exciting prospect for Hobart and the State.

This is a $90 million development that will deliver a world-class cultural and arts precinct in the middle of the Hobart CBD. It will also support hundreds of jobs in the building and construction sector in the short and medium term.

This is a joint project involving both State and Federal Government and UTas.

The Tasmanian Government and UTas are seeking to find a solution to a projected funding shortfall for the project under a non-binding memorandum of understanding.

One potential solution involves consideration of early termination by the University of its lease on the Hunter Street Arts School, which could enable the Tasmanian Government to obtain vacant possession of that site, subject to transfer of the TasTAFE building at 75 Campbell Street to the UTas and transfer to UTas of property at Taroona currently occupied by the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies.

Before the Government could progress any potential transfer of property two critical steps need to occur. First there needs to be a verification of the funding shortfall. And second there would need to be a valuation of the properties of any potential transfer. It is only once these preconditions have been completed that the Government would be in a position to make an assessment of any potential transfer of property.

Clearly, before any decision to proceed with such a transfer the Government would need to be satisfied that such a transfer was in the best interests of all parties, including TasTAFE, and in the best interests of Tasmania.

But I stress, there is a long way to go before any agreement could reached, and the MoU is of an exploratory and non-binding nature only.

If realised, the ACIPA project has the potential to secure significant growth opportunities for UTas in the CBD, while freeing up an important site in Hunter Street for tourism or other opportunities. In this context, it would be remise of the Government not to explore the potential opportunity.
Matthew Groom, Minister for State Growth