Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Leader and Member for Clark
In Metro Tasmania GBE hearings today, Infrastructure Minister, Michael Ferguson refused to deny plans to convert Hobart’s treasured meeting place, City Hall, into a transit centre.
The Greens understand, after scrapping their farcical plan for an underground bus mall, the Liberals now want to refashion City Hall in to the transit centre. When we put this Mr Ferguson, he would not rule out the plan.
Not content with compromising City Hall as a public meeting space, we also understand the plan includes paving over part of the heritage-listed Hobart Rivulet. None of this should come as a complete surprise, given the Liberals’ attitude to publicly-owned property and heritage gems.
Hobart City Hall is a cultural and heritage treasure that has served as the backdrop to many moments in this little city’s story. Locals would want to know what Michael Ferguson has planned for their public space. It seems highly unlikely their opinions will be sought.
The plan to convert City Hall to a transit centre has been under wraps, without any public say. Hobartians who have gathered in there for public events, concerts or to stand up for what they believe in all deserve a say in what happens to the building.