Hobart Brewing Co’s Red Shed could be dismantled, relocated and rebuilt on council land under a proposal from councillor Ryan Posselt.
Posselt is urging developers or hospitality operators to work with the Hobart City Council to save the venue – home to the brewery for the past decade – before it is demolished to make way for the $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium.
“I think this building means something to Tasmanians,” Posselt said.
“Can it be saved from the wrecking ball? I think so.”
Under the proposal, the shed’s distinctive red facade and roofline would be retained while the interior is modernised to create what he described as “a new iconic cultural venue”.
Posselt said the council could offer a “peppercorn lease” or rates relief, with the private sector covering the full cost of redevelopment.
“This proposal wouldn’t cost ratepayers a cent,” he said.
“Any land it could be moved to is currently not rated and costs council money to maintain.”
He suggested Cornelian Bay, the Regatta Grounds and Rugby Park in New Town as possible relocation sites.
The stadium received final parliamentary approval last year, with Tasmania’s upper house voting nine to five in favour.
While the heritage-listed 1915 Goods Shed next door will be relocated within the Macquarie Point site, Posselt said his understanding was that “there is no plan to retain any aspect of [the] Red Shed and that it will be scrapped”.
Posselt, a paramedic elected to council in 2022, last month announced he will run for lord mayor in October’s council elections.
