A CLOUD of uncertainty continues to linger over the Triabunna wharf, with TasPorts yet to finalise the East Coast asset’s sale. An announcement on the government-owned wharf is expected by the close of business on Friday, with TasPorts understood to be clearing the final hurdles. Expressions of interest for the land-locked wharf closed six weeks ago. The deep sea port has not been used since Gunns stopped exporting woodchips from the site in 2011, with the adjoining mill then sold to entrepreneur Graeme Wood. Mr Wood plans to transform the mill into a tourism development, and had wanted to hold onto the port to allow cruise ships and other vessels to access the site. TasPorts was reportedly negotiating a sale of the wharf with Mr Wood, before deciding to advertise it on the open market. Mr Wood is understood to be waiting on the outcome of the wharf’s sale before pushing on with his $50 million venture. On Thursday, Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said he had not been briefed on the final outcome of the sale. ‘‘That’s a matter for TasPorts – it’s in their hands,’’ Mr Hidding said. ‘‘It was agreed with them that with the procurement process, I’d be hands off. The last thing anyone needs is shareholder ministers puddling around in there.’’ It is understood at least three parties expressed interest in acquiring the wharf, including a major salmon producer. Tasmanian Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said Mr Wood appeared to be the most logical buyer. ‘‘It’d be pretty hard for someone to use that site without the full and complete co-operation from Graeme Wood,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ve got a guy who wants to invest money in a part of the state desperately needing private investment – the government needs to be doing as much as it can to support this.’’
A CLOUD of uncertainty continues to linger over the Triabunna wharf, with TasPorts yet to finalise the East Coast asset’s sale.
An announcement on the government-owned wharf is expected by the close of business on Friday, with TasPorts understood to be clearing the final hurdles.
Expressions of interest for the land-locked wharf closed six weeks ago.
The deep sea port has not been used since Gunns stopped exporting woodchips from the site in 2011, with the adjoining mill then sold to entrepreneur Graeme Wood.
Mr Wood plans to transform the mill into a tourism development, and had wanted to hold onto the port to allow cruise ships and other vessels to access the site.
TasPorts was reportedly negotiating a sale of the wharf with Mr Wood, before deciding to advertise it on the open market.
Mr Wood is understood to be waiting on the outcome of the wharf’s sale before pushing on with his $50 million venture.
On Thursday, Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding said he had not been briefed on the final outcome of the sale.
‘‘That’s a matter for TasPorts – it’s in their hands,’’ Mr Hidding said.
‘‘It was agreed with them that with the procurement process, I’d be hands off. The last thing anyone needs is shareholder ministers puddling around in there.’’
It is understood at least three parties expressed interest in acquiring the wharf, including a major salmon producer.
Tasmanian Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said Mr Wood appeared to be the most logical buyer.
‘‘It’d be pretty hard for someone to use that site without the full and complete co-operation from Graeme Wood,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve got a guy who wants to invest money in a part of the state desperately needing private investment – the government needs to be doing as much as it can to support this.’’
