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MACQUARIE POINT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BILL 2012
Fact Sheet
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation Bill 2012 (Bill), which establishes the
Macquarie Point Development Corporation (Corporation), will be enacted in two
stages, with the first stage focusing on the establishment of the Corporation.
The initial functions of the Corporation, as specified in the Bill, include matters
related to remediation of the Macquarie Point railyards site, the redevelopment of
Brooke Street Pier, public consultation regarding possible options for the railyards
site redevelopment, and consideration of development models for the railyards site.
The second stage of legislation is expected to be drafted during 2013. This will focus
on the functions and powers required by the Corporation to commercially develop
the railyards site. It will include consideration of land-use planning matters and the
best means of releasing the land to the market.
This two-stage approach will allow for a more detailed and mature consideration of
the functions and powers required by the Corporation for commercial development
of the site, avoiding the need to make significant policy choices before they can be
fully investigated.
Main features of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation Bill 2012
The Corporation's principal objectives are to plan, facilitate and manage the
remediation of the Macquarie Point railyards site and its redevelopment to ensure it:
is redeveloped as a vibrant and active area with a mix of uses that connects
with and complements adjacent areas within Hobart;
encourages inner-city living;
is redeveloped to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to Hobart;
and
is redeveloped in accordance with sound planning, urban design and
environmental principles.
The functions of the Corporation are to:
carry out investigations in relation to the proposed remediation and
redevelopment of the Macquarie Point railyards site;
plan and manage the remediation of the Macquarie Point railyards site so it
can be redeveloped;
consult with the Tasmanian community in relation to options for the site's
redevelopment;
advise the Minister on any legislation that may be required to facilitate the
site's redevelopment;
undertake, manage and facilitate the redevelopment consistent with the
Corporation's objectives;
advise the Minister on options for the redevelopment or replacement of
Brooke Street Pier; and
undertake, manage and facilitate the redevelopment or replacement of
Brooke Street Pier.
The Corporation will have the power to enter into contracts, appoint agents and
attorneys and engage consultants. However, the Bill does not give the Corporation
the authority to acquire or dispose of property or undertake any works on the
Macquarie Point railyards site until the site is transferred to the Corporation unless
otherwise approved by the Minister.
The Corporation will be subject to the Treasurer's Instructions, unless their
application to the Corporation is modified by the Treasurer.
The Corporation will have a Board of directors consisting of the chairperson, the
chief executive officer and between three and six other members.
The chairperson and the directors, other than the chief executive officer, will be
appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, on the basis of
specific knowledge and skills required to achieve the principal objectives of the
Corporation.
The Board will be responsible for:
the achievement of the Corporation's principal objectives;
ensuring the Macquarie Point railyards site is redeveloped in accordance with
the site redevelopment plan;
ensuring the Corporation's business and affairs are managed and conducted
in accordance with the principal objectives and corporate plan of the
Corporation, and in accordance with sound business practice; and
establishing an audit committee.
The Board will be required to prepare an annual report for tabling in Parliament
each year, and will also be required to prepare a corporate plan by 31 May each
year. The Board may also be required to prepare a site redevelopment plan on the
direction of the Minister.
It should be noted that because the Corporation will operate using Australian
Government funds, and there is currently no intention to direct State Government
funding to the Corporation, there will be no requirement for the Corporation to be
subject to the Budget Estimates process.
Should State Government funding be directed to the Corporation at a later date, this
would be dealt with through the normal process of Budget Estimates for Finance
General.
As the Corporation's annual report will be tabled in Parliament each year, this will
provide the opportunity for Members of Parliament to request briefings in relation
to the Corporation's operations outlined in its annual report.
The Board will have the power to invest and borrow funds.
The Minister will have the power to give the Board directions in connection with the
functions and powers of the Corporation, but will not have the authority to direct
the Board to enter into or terminate any contract on behalf of the Corporation.
The Minister will also have the authority to consent to the transfer of Crown land to
the Corporation subject to the approval of the Minister administering the Crown
Lands Act 1976, with the land then vesting in the Corporation.
No State tax will be payable by the Corporation for the transfer of Crown land.
The Corporation will be established as a State Service Agency, with the chief
executive officer and all staff being employed under the State Service Act 2000.
The Bill allows for the person holding the position of General Manager, Macquarie
Point Development Project at the commencement of the Act to be appointed as the
chief executive officer of the Corporation.
The Minister will have the authority to transfer existing State Service employees to
the Corporation.