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Office of the Coordinator-General

Northern Cities Projects

Northern Cities Major Development Initiative

Education, Innovation and Economic Growth for Northern Tasmania


The Northern Cities Major Development Initiative is a Tasmanian Government plan designed to align workforce upskilling with local industry needs, foster innovation and entrepreneurship as well as revitalise northern cities into vibrant places to live and work in. Focusing on the regional areas of Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, initial funding of $90 million has been provided by the Tasmanian Government which has seeded a further $782 million of investment, driving significant infrastructural improvements, creating thousands of jobs and building a brighter economic future for regional Tasmanian communities.
Working with the Federal and local governments, the Tasmanian Government is delivering a coordinated approach to map out further priority investment projects to maximise the value of the Northern Cities Major Development Initiative.

The Office of the Coordinator-General, together with local governments and other stakeholders, work in close collaboration to direct funding across the northern cities and manage the timing and nature of the investments.

Launceston:

  • The Northern Cities Major Development initiative was a catalyst for the Launceston City Deal which has attracted $570 million across Government and private investment.
  • The City Deal represents an exciting 10-year partnership between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments, and the City of Launceston to make Launceston Australia’s most liveable and innovative regional city, with growing incomes and falling levels of disadvantage.
  • Key projects in the Launceston City Deal include:
    • University of Tasmania (UTAS) relocation - A new University of Tasmania campus is being established at Inveresk with world-class facilities close the CBD. New Associate Degrees closely linked to northern industries will enhance interaction between the University, the community and local industry, and will help to create a culture of learning and research in a vibrant University City.
    • Launceston City Heart Project – The City Heart Project is an urban infrastructure redevelopment focusing on revitalised and vibrant spaces for the community in Launceston's historic CBD, as well as improving active modes of travel (walking, cycling and public transport use). The project will enhance Launceston’s liveability and role as a smart and attractive University City.
    • Tamar Estuary/kanamaluka - The Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT) was established to deliver better governance and reduce pollution to improve the health of the Tamar Estuary. Work to date includes improved catchment management actions,  infrastructure upgrades to combined sewerage and stormwater system and the development of the Draft Vision for the Tamar Estuary/kanamaluka.
    • Revitalisation of the Northern Suburbs through My Place My Future and the Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub -

Burnie:

  • The $52 million relocation of the UTAS Burnie campus from Mooreville Road to the newly developed central West Park will deliver a modern, state-of-the-art campus close to Burnie's CBD. Educational offers will be visible and accessible for the community.
  • The new Associate Degree program will provide the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture with the opportunity to extend its programs into applied agriculture and agribusiness.

Devonport:

  • Living City is a $250 million urban renewal project of the Devonport City Council that aims to boost the economy in Devonport and the broader region, create jobs, and link the city centre to the waterfront.
  • The Devonport Living City Project aims for a reconfiguration of key CBD assets to revitalise the city and to provide a catalyst to support private investment in tourism, retail and food.
  • Stage 1 of the project focused on a new multipurpose building including a convention centre, and a food pavilion showcasing Devonport as a key hub for food production in the north-west of Tasmania.
  • Stage 2 is delivering the Waterfront Precinct, incorporating a new 187 room hotel (Novotel Devonport), waterfront parkland, pedestrian access to the riverfront precinct and recreation trails (including the Coastal Pathway).