Updated 4:25pm, Tuesday January 28: The Glenorchy City Council has approved a major redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Showgrounds.
Acting Mayor Russell Yaxley called the redevelopment an “exciting new chapter” for the northern suburbs site.
“This approval allows the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania to redevelop the facility, cementing the site as the home of the Royal Hobart Show for many years to come,” he said.
“Council officers have worked extremely hard with the society as part of council’s due diligence in assessing the society’s proposed redevelopment.”
“I’m confident this approval will allow the society to construct the infrastructure it needs as a contemporary organisation which provides such an iconic event to public.”
Plans for Hobart Showground redevelopment recommended for approval
Plans to transform the Hobart Showground into a modern, multi-purpose complex have taken a step forward with the proposal recommended for approval.
The Glenorchy City Council is set to vote on stage one of the $50 million redevelopment of the 12.7-hectare site in Hobart’s northern suburbs at a meeting on Tuesday night.
The showground, established in 1903 by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST), has long been the home of the iconic Royal Hobart Show.
The development plans include a new pavilion, theatre, auditorium, oval, plaza, public bar and cafe.
Despite the size and significance of the project, no community feedback was received during the public consultation period.
Council planners have outlined 44 conditions for the project, covering issues like lighting, operating hours and noise control.
Planners said the application “does not seek approval for the residential development”, which will come later and will require planning scheme amendments.
RAST has plans to build 450 new homes on parts of the showground, including some for social housing, as part of the broader redevelopment vision.
Most of the showground’s older buildings have already been demolished to make way for the changes.
RAST hopes to get construction underway by March.
