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That is the message being touted by all levels of government and there has been progress on a number of major projects in 2017.
Mayor Albert van Zetten said the City of Launceston continued to take a proactive role in development, by working with proponents to ensure their projects can meet the requirements of the planning scheme, and the expectations of the community.
“When you couple private investment with the significant public projects that are on the books, including the North Bank redevelopment, the Launceston City Heart Project, the $260 million University of Tasmania relocation, and the various elements of the Launceston City Deal, this is an incredibly exciting time for Launceston,” he said.
“Our city is going to change dramatically in the years ahead, because of the work we are undertaking now.”
Meanwhile, the state government continued working towards the full implementation of the statewide planning scheme, with State Planning Provisions coming into effect on March 2.
Individual councils across the state are working towards preparing draft local provisions for the new scheme.
The Examiner has chosen to review some of the major public and private developments in the region, which were most popular with our readers in 2017.
It took almost three decades for Launceston’s notorious CH Smith complex to be brought back to life.
While the whole project is not yet finished, tenants are expected to move into the first completed building by the end of January, 2018.
Developers Errol Stewart and Simon Curran have hit a few hurdles, including a heritage stoush over the internal structures at 22 Charles Street, an expensive soldier wall of piles and the need to move sewer and storm water infrastructure.
The pair are building a cafe, offices to service up to 350 workers and a council-owned 300 space car park.
The car park phase of the development is expected to be handed over to the City of Launceston in April.
Errol Stewart’s second major project in Launceston is the redevelopment of the Kings Wharf grain silos.
Built in 1960, the grain silos are 35 metres high and located on the corner edge of the Tamar and North Esk rivers.
While construction started in 2016 the progress powered ahead last year.
The first function has already been held in the restaurant, with the official opening date of the hotel set for April 1, 2018.
The revamp of Launceston’s Civic Square began when the first sod was turned on the project in July.
The much-awaited next step of the City Heart project is the biggest redevelopment the 4500 square metre area has seen since 1982.
Once complete it will contain three linked spaces comprising an events space, a family play area, and a dining and social gathering space.
Much of the area has been locked away from view, building anticipation for the final product.
Project engineer Jade Kaye said upgrades to the underground infrastructure was also a major part of the works.
The Civic Square upgrade forms part of the larger $18.1 million City Heart Project, which was designed to draw people and business back into the city centre.
Finishing touches to the second stage of the $5 million Rosevears Hotel development were completed in February.
The 26 boutique accommodation units overlook the Tamar River and are connected by boardwalks roaming through gardens.
A new glasshouse dining area, beer garden, corporate boardroom/entertainment space with balcony and a hidden, temperature controlled wine cellar, comprised the first stage of the project.
The Toll Group's $20 million Launceston redevelopment got the city council’s tick of approval in August.
Work on the state-of-the-art freight hub will see existing buildings extended and refurbished, new buildings constructed and a rail link on Toll Group’s site off Dowling Street.
More than $17 million in local investment was generated by the development of a 90 bed aged-care residence at Cormiston Road in Riverside.
About a third of the beds at Riverside Residential Care were planned as a Memory Support Unit for those with dementia.
The facility was constructed over three levels, with the upper two containing rooms for residents.
Subtle changes have begun at Launceston’s three McDonalds stores, including the installation of digital menus at drive-thrus.
This is just the start, according to owner Steven Nicholas, who has up to $10 million worth of development plans on the cards.
Several development applications have already been advertised through the council.
The major plan is the complete rebuild of the South Launceston site, which would take the place of the vacant land once occupied by RIH Sheds.
The most noticeable change in the Launceston Airport’s $2 million terminal upgrade was the reconfigured security screening section.
Now adjacent to the existing airline check-in desks, the works allows family and friends to accompany travellers through security.
The upgrades also included the installation of new digital departure and arrival boards, new amenities and access to the downstairs waiting rooms directly from the secure terminal lounge.
Work to refurbish and open the historic Star Theatre at Invermay will be finished in the coming weeks.
Bringing a world-class independent cinema to Launceston, in one of the finest art deco theatres still in existence in Australia, is the goal of the developers.
Designed by Tasmanian-born architect, Guy Crick, the Star Theatre originally opened on October 5, 1937.
It ceased operation as a cinema in 1969 and was most recently operated as an outlet for St Vincent de Paul.
The upgrade between Perth and Breadalbane is almost complete.
While motorists were able to start using the new section of the highway between the north-end of Perth and Devon Hills in 2017, the new bridge is not quite yet ready for the publi
Holly Monery
Holly Monery is a journalist for The Examiner newspaper, based in Launceston, Tasmania. Her main area of focus is local government.
Holly Monery is a journalist for The Examiner newspaper, based in Launceston, Tasmania. Her main area of focus is local government.
