Macquarie Point development in TAS reach important milestone

The significant Macquarie Point development in Tasmania has reached another critical milestone that pushes it further towards the delivery phase. 

TasWater is now undertaking planning for the removal of the waste water treatment plant on site as this is a vital step in the development of Macquarie Point. The Tasmanian Government is also supporting this project through a $100 million funding commitment. 

The planning works to date have identified that the best option to service greater Hobart is through the expansion of the existing treatment plant at Selfs Point in New Town, which is going to be supported by an Environmental Impact Study – a key component of the process for the Environmental Protection Authority to consider and approve the plan. 

Source: Mac Point

In 2019, extensive planning and rezoning work was carried out on the former industrial site to prepare it for the development phase of Macquarie Point. 

Over the last three years, significant remediation works were delivered to remove “centuries of soil pollution and parcels of land have been taken to the market ready to develop”. 

“An important component of this has been the work undertaken by TasWater on the waste water treatment plant, with tenders now ready to be released to market seeking partners to design a new sewage pump station and emergency storage; an interconnecting rising main between Macquarie Point and Selfs Point and a significant upgrade and expansion of the existing treatment plant at Selfs Point. 

“I’d like to thank TasWater for its work to get to this important milestone, which signals another important step in the Macquarie Point development process,” Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing Guy Barnett said in a statement. 

Decommissioning of the waste water treatment plant is expected to be completed by 2025. 

The Macquarie Point development is located on a 9.3-hectare site that consists of seven distinct development zones, including a public open space, retail, community space, cultural space, commercial and residential accommodations. 

Macquarie Point masterplan (source: Mac Point)

The seven precincts – or development zones – include: 

• The Escarpment 
• The Precinct 
• The Gateway 
• The Promenade 
• The Good Shed 
• The Underground 
• The Park 

Macquarie Point – or Mac Point – is Hobart’s premier development that is set to become an iconic destination that also has the potential to provide a boost in growth in commercial as well as cultural real estate and public space. 

The Macquarie Point Development Corporation, established by the Tasmanian Government, will be responsible for both the remediation of the land and preparation of the project site for permanent development to occur. 

Once major construction begins on the project, it is anticipated to generate up to 9,800 jobs. 

Source: Premier of Tasmania – News; Mac Point (1, 2)