CONCERNS OVER WHARF SALE & PORT CONTROL TOWER CLOSURE

The Tasmanian Greens today raised concerns over the future of Hobart’s port control tower, which could then precipitate subsequent sale or long term lease of that site, as they also reacted to the revelation that sale of Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed will be advertised by the government prior to any community determination of the preferred use. Greens Opposition Leader and Member for Denison Peg Putt MP also raised concerns that the Lennon government may have financial difficulties that will see further asset sales announced in the upcoming State Budget. Sale or Long Term Lease of Macquarie 1 Wharf “Privatisation of the Hobart waterfront has been a big worry to the Hobart community who have strongly indicated their desire for continued public ownership and access, so it’s plain wrong for the government to be moving to sell Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed without first testing the proposal with the people via extensive public consultation,” Ms Putt said.

“If it’s a long term lease that’s just as bad in terms of effectively privatising the place for 99 years, something that was made abundantly clear when the government tried to squirm out of community concerns over losing public ownership and use by suggesting long term leases of this nature.” “We were told in Parliament when the waterfront was taken from council and given to an unelected body to administer that the people would be consulted about what their vision of preferred development was for each part of the cove, and then plans would be developed in line with community views, but now the government has junked those promises and is proceeding to a sale or long term lease which they’ve never previously canvassed.” “This sidelines the community and sets up a situation of potential conflict for developers to confront.” “Paul Lennon really has to come out of hiding and explain why he has ditched his promises to the people of Hobart about how he would go about planning for the wharf, and tell us what on earth justifies effectively privatising Macquarie Wharf No 1 shed apart from a grab for cash,” Ms Putt said. Closure of port control tower “The Greens have received a flood of contacts about behind the scenes moves regarding the wharf, and we have confirmed that a move is also underway to close down the port control tower, meaning that shipping movements would apparently be controlled from Burnie.” “Obviously this could affect the safety of ships on the river and travelling up river under the bridge, and although a risk assessment is being undertaken I believe that many who use the Derwent River will not be happy with the prospect of closure of the port control tower.” “Does this signal a change in the mix of users of the port and a presumption that freight traffic across the wharf will be relocated to northern ports?” “The question also then arises as to whether there could be a subsequent sale or 99 year lease of that area, which is adjacent to the Quarantine shed on Macquarie No 1 wharf.” Further asset sales? “It seems clear that the Lennon government is facing some sort of financial squeeze that is precipitating this grab for cash from wharf property, and we are hearing of further asset sales elsewhere that could also be coming up.” “Yet only a few months ago the government achieved a sale price for the Hobart airport that was three times greater than predicted, so you’d assume they’d be in a better financial position than expected,” Ms Putt said. “Has the Lennon government got itself into financial difficulties that are precipitating these moves, do they intend to announce further asset sales in the upcoming State Budget, and how could they possibly justify throwing taxpayers money to Gunns and their pulp mill in such circumstances?”.

Thu May 2008 02:05 (7 months, 4 weeks ago)