Mr BAYLEY – Minister, the MacPoint precinct plan has a residential development zone, as we all know, at Regatta Point and the development and the $240 million from the federal government that’s not GST exempt is actually conditional on building affordable homes on the site. The precinct plan is clear on the fact that the housing there would be a mixture of Homes Tasmania and Health department affordable housing for health workers and apartments for release on the market. Can you confirm if any of the $240 million from the federal money has been set aside to invest in this residential development?
Mr ELLIS – Yeah, look, happy to follow up in terms of the arrangements there in this. Yeah, happy to take that notice and provide further information.
Mr BAYLEY – Well, I mean, it was conditional upon housing, that money was given to your government conditional on housing. If not, and I assume not, because we keep seeing the Premier commit it to the stadium project, how will you -?
Mr ELLIS – I wouldn’t make those assumptions.
Mr BAYLEY – Well, that’s what all the figures say, minister Ellis. It adds the federal $240 million contribution into meeting the price tag of the stadium. So, it begs the question.
Mr ELLIS – Well, it is a precinct plan. I think what the Greens don’t understand is that, you know, we’re looking to take action across the Macquarie Point.
CHAIR – Just to try to avoid interjections. If Mr Bayley asks a question, I’m sure there might be things that the minister disagrees with, so, I will give that opportunity in the end.
Mr BAYLEY – But look, in the absence of the $240 million – because I think you’ll find that it is very clearly allocated towards the stadium – how will the residential development at Regatta Point be funded? Is there anything in this Budget for Homes Tasmania to start to do the planning work and the development work to get it up and running. It’s zone 2. I acknowledge it is at stage 2.
Mr ELLIS – As I said, I’m happy to take that on notice. Unless there’s anything further from the department to add.
Mr HEALEY – No, only that the precinct plan has obviously recently been approved and released and, as the Premier said this morning, there’s still a lot of work to do to understand the processes for the broader delivery on that precinct plan. It’s probably, through you minister, something that could also be taken up with minister Street.
Mr BAYLEY – Well, on that, minister, you probably won’t be able to answer this question. I was going to ask what will the mix of health work accommodation versus private apartments be. But what would you like to see the mix be? What would you advocate the mix of health accommodation, health worker accommodation versus private apartments be?
Mr ELLIS – Yeah, look, I’ve got an open mind. I’ve got to say that it is good that the Greens do support key worker accommodation. It’s actually an important part of us taking action across the spectrum and we delivered the Fountainside facility so that we can secure the long-term future of that for healthcare workers in Tasmania. We also secured the old Aberdeen, I think the hotel used to be called, but we called the Punch Bowl facility, which is 24 new units for healthcare workers in the north as well. So, I’ve got an open mind. We’ll address the needs as they arise. Certainly, securing Fountainside has made a material difference to our ability to provide long-term accommodation for key workers in the Hobart CBD. We’ll continue to work with Homes Tasmania and the Health department on what exactly the right mix is.
Mr BAYLEY – Will you commit to retaining equity in that development at Regatta Point?
Mr ELLIS – We’ll continue to work through that, and happy to provide an update –
Mr BAYLEY – There’s just the precinct plan and there’s no detail behind it.
Mr ELLIS – The plan has only just been released, but I’m happy to continue to work around the specifics of it.
Mr BAYLEY – You have been working on this for a very long time.
Mr ELLIS – As I’m happy to continue to work with the Health department and Homes Tasmania around the exact mix.
Mr BAYLEY – Would you rule out gifting this prime waterfront land to a private developer just to do this development? Would you gift the land to them, or would you rule out gifting the land to a developer?
Mr ELLIS – I don’t really have any specifics there, Mr Bayley. We are going to continue to work to deliver our commitment. I’ve said I’m happy to take on notice some of these matters, and we’ll work through your specifics of your question.
