Media release – Greater Hobart Mayors, 2 April 2025
UTAS STEM facilities headline Greater Hobart election priorities
The four Greater Hobart Mayors are urging all federal candidates to back the University of Tasmania’s vision for a cutting-edge STEM campus ahead of the forthcoming federal election.
The Mayors of Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough councils are calling for support for a specialised STEM facility at Sandy Bay to address Tasmania’s STEM crisis, strengthen local workforce capability and build a future-focused knowledge economy.
The UTAS STEM project leads a suite of priority initiatives being touted by the Mayors in the lead up to the election, highlighting the need for federal investment in infrastructure and transport projects to deliver positive economic and social outcomes for Greater Hobart.
In addition to delivering the UTAS STEM campus, the Mayors are calling for:
- increased investment in active transport;
- planning for a second phase of the River Derwent ferry expansion;
- determining a long-term solution for the Tasman Bridge; and
- delivering the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Mayor Brendan Blomeley, Mayor Sue Hickey and Mayor Paula Wriedt emphasised the importance of Greater Hobart receiving federal funding that reflects its capital city status and projected population growth, ensuring parity with the rest of the state.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds (City of Hobart)
“As Mayors we’re proud to support UTAS in its vision for modern STEM facilities at Sandy Bay.
“UTAS is uniquely positioned to tackle Tasmania’s STEM challenges and drive the knowledge economy of the future, but it requires state-of-the-art facilities— not the outdated buildings currently on the Sandy Bay campus.
“This proposal is a win-win – securing the site’s future as a contemporary university campus while also strengthening local expertise and workforce capability to address critical challenges for generations to come.
“We urge all parties and candidates to back this project, given its immense significance for Greater Hobart and Tasmania as a whole.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Brendan Blomeley (Clarence City Council)
“The Tasman Bridge remains the busiest road in Tasmania and is operating at full capacity, creating a daily bottleneck for Hobart commuters.
“Recent decisions by the State Government have again highlighted the inherent structural issues with the bridge, its ageing condition and its capacity constraints.
“We believe there is now a practical need to prepare for future growth by commencing studies into a long-term solution to eventually replace or duplicate the Tasman Bridge in the future.
“We are calling on the Federal Government to lead initial feasibility and concept work that considers how and when the Tasman Bridge may be replaced. This work should present options about the scope and scale of cross river infrastructure that will be required by future generations of Greater Hobart residents.
“It took over 30 years to deliver the new Bridgewater Bridge – it’s now time to start planning for what comes next for the Tasman Bridge.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Sue Hickey (Glenorchy City Council)
“While the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor has been a project touted for many years, as Mayors we remain supportive of the vision given the enormous opportunity it presents to improve housing supply and diversity for Greater Hobart.
“In addition to being a key transport link, the NSTC is Hobart’s biggest infill development opportunity that has the potential to comprise a large number of Greater Hobart’s new homes and growing population over the coming decades.
“We would like to see existing federal funding commitments honoured and a joint undertaking from all levels of government to get this project done. We reiterate our support for the project and the need for federal investment to accelerate tangible on-the-ground action.
“We are also eager to see the Federal Government provide more dedicated support for active transport and cycling infrastructure across Greater Hobart, with each of our councils promoting larger scale projects that are key to unlocking our active transport network.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Paula Wriedt (Kingborough Council)
“As Mayors we are grateful for the existing $20m federal investment to expand the Derwent Ferry Service to Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay and Wilkinson’s Point.
“With the first phase of the terminal expansion proceeding as envisioned, we are now looking ahead to the project’s second phase that will complete the ferry terminal network.
“We are seeking a $2 million federal commitment for a preliminary works package to prepare for the second and final phase of the ferry expansion – establishing new terminals at Kingston Beach, Howrah Beach and Regatta Point.
“From a Kingborough perspective, we are committed to seeing the ferry network expand south to Kingston Beach. It is clear that further investment is required to make this vision a reality, with a number of key factors such as the location and commuter parking requiring further consideration.
“this funding will ensure we can do the work necessary to plan and prepare for a terminal at Kingston Beach and the completion of the network more broadly.”
Brendan Blomeley is the Mayor of Clarence City Council, Sue Hickey is the Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, Anna Reynolds is the Lord Mayor of the City of Hobart and Paula Wriedt is the Mayor of Kingborough Council.
The Greater Hobart Councils are calling for federal support for five key priorities that will underpin positive economic and social outcomes for Greater Hobart:
- Supporting a specialised STEM campus at UTAS Sandy Bay: Building Tasmania’s knowledge economy and raising productivity through specialised STEM infrastructure at the UTAS Sandy Bay campus.
- Accelerating the Greater Hobart Active Transport Network: Accelerate the delivery of transformative, cycle-friendly streets and pathways linking key activity centres and destinations across Greater Hobart.
- Planning for the second phase of the River Derwent Ferry Expansion: Completing the expansion of the iconic Derwent Ferry Service by planning for three remaining terminals at key strategic sites along the River Derwent.
- Shaping a long-term solution for the Tasman Bridge: Commencing studies into a long-term solution for Tasmania’s busiest road and a pivotal Greater Hobart transport link, the Tasman Bridge.
- Honouring the commitment to the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor: Activating Greater Hobart’s biggest housing and urban development opportunity by honouring the commitment to the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor and key access routes, tied to clear targets for delivering the project.
