Tasmania’s Auditor-General has found numerous process failures in the proposed sale of Wilkinsons Point land, with negotiations dragging on for six years without a binding agreement.
Martin Thompson said he “found significant shortcomings in advice and process” in the deal, which began as an unsolicited proposal to establish the JackJumpers NBL team and upgrade the Derwent Entertainment Centre.
The problems started with the government having no business case to define the scope, risks or costs of the project, Thompson said.
“The processes did not support the identification and effective management of risks associated with the land sale process,” he said.
The Department of State Growth also shared a valuation report with the potential buyer, despite advice from the Valuer-General not to.
Officials believed they had approval from the Premier’s Office, but the report notes ministerial staff cannot legally direct public servants.
In December 2020, a non-binding $6 million sale price was made public before proper checks were complete, creating a reference point that could shape future decisions, the audit found.
The government also failed to disclose a $41 million contract for the DEC upgrade, as required under procurement rules.
Since 2019, the proposal has shifted significantly. Facilities once planned for Wilkinsons Point have been moved elsewhere, undermining the original case for the “unique” development.
State Growth Secretary Craig Limkin acknowledged the report’s findings but said the pandemic had disrupted normal processes during the early rollout.
“The creation of the JackJumpers and the initial scoping and costs for development of Wilkinsons Point was included as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package,” he said.
The audit was limited because the Auditor-General could not access cabinet documents, leaving it unclear whether implementation lined up with government decisions.
As of September 2025, no legally binding sale agreement exists despite the government announcing in February it had agreed to sell the Crown land.
The sale is expected to pave the way for a multi-use retail precinct, a family resort and a hotel complex.
The government will also build a new ferry terminal, services and parking at Wilkinsons Point as part of the deal.
The report made four recommendations aimed at improving transparency and accountability in complex deals between government and the private sector.
