Launceston City Deal progress report delivered to the Australian Government

A year on, and a progress report on the deal is now available for review, after it was handed to the federal government on Thursday.

Federal Minister for Cities Paul Fletcher visited Launceston for the hand over of the report, which details the commitments made and targets achieved one year in.

The Launceston City Deal was signed in 2017 and this is the first progress report to be tabled between all three levels of government.

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Mr Fletcher said one of the principles governing the City Deal was transparency, and this report was one way the community and the government could keep updated.

“Through the City Deal, we are partnering with the Tasmanian Government, the City of Launceston [council], and others, to invest in a strong and prosperous economic future for Launceston, securing its place as a vibrant, live-able, and innovative city,” he said.

Launceston is one of four city deals, and joined Townsville and Western Sydney as the first three announced in 2017.

A Hobart City Deal was announced in January.

Launceston’s City Deal has the University of Tasmania campus move at its heart, with all three levels of government pitching in $195.4 million for the $260 million transformation project.

Tasmanian Treasurer Peter Gutwein said a key next step for the deal was the announcement of the principal consultant and architects for the campuses.

A consortium of architects was announced on Monday, which includes three Tasmanian architecture firms.

Mr Gutwein said the deal was the result of all three levels of government working together, which was not often common.

“It’s important the three levels of government are working together but also that the community has come along with us, we are doing what the community wants us to do,” he said.

RELATED: What is the Launceston City Deal?

Mr Gutwein said the City Deal would be a “game-changer” for the city.

“This will be an absolute game-changer for the region, creating jobs and more opportunities for generations to come,” he said.

City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said over the next 12 months would show progress made on various parts of the City Deal.

“The Brisbane Street Mall reconstruction and the regional economiy development plan are both due for completion by year’s end, with the latter then to shift to the implementation phase,” he said.

The council will also deliver the Northern suburbs revitalisation plan by 2019. 

Tasmanian Senator David Bushby said he was excited about the opportunity the many projects will deliver for the people of Launceston and its surrounding areas.

“Launceston is a beautiful city with many natural and competitive advantages, not least, its people,” Senator Bushby said.

The Launceston City Deal and the progress report is available online and feedback is welcomed via government channels.