New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade

November update

Project News

As you’re aware, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the City of Hobart’s ability to continue funding capital works projects as originally intended. Many projects have had to be put on hold or amended as the City’s budget has had to be drastically re-calculated.

As part of our commitment to keeping you in the loop on this project and making sure you have the latest information, we are now able to advise that unfortunately our attempts at gaining external funding for this project have been unsuccessful to date.

Further proposed works as part of the New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade are currently on hold until such time that external funding can be secured. 

We are continuing to apply for grant funding opportunities to allow for improvements to be implemented. Providing a more accessible, attractive, comfortable and vibrant main street environment for the New Town community to enjoy and take pride in, is still on our agenda. 

Next Steps

Funding applications for pedestrian crossings

The City has submitted funding applications to the Tasmanian Government's Vulnerable Road Users grants programs for the following improvements:

• New Town Road pedestrian crossing facility, north of Cross Street, including kerb bulbings and central median refuge
• Cross Street raised threshold crossing on the north-eastern side
• New Town Road pedestrian crossing facility between the Salvos Store and the Greenstore Café, including kerb bulbings and a central median island.

All three proposed pedestrian crossings were strongly supported recommendations of the Project Action Team during the engagement process for the New Town Retail Precinct Upgrade. Each proposed crossing will greatly improve pedestrian amenity and safety in the area and will contribute to a more vibrant streetscape. If the grant applications are successful, these works would be built in the first half of 2021.  

Installation of artwork

Matt Drysdale, our Melbourne-based artists, is keen to return to Tasmania to complete the ‘hybrid’ sculpture to be located at the site near Pirie Street (see concept design above). We are expecting the sculptures to be installed in early 2021.

Thank you for your support to date, and we will keep you informed of any further developments.