Airport Retail Centre at Hobart International Airport approved with conditions

(CAPA) The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile, announced approval for a Major Development Plan for a factory outlet centre, bulky goods/homemaker centre and DIY/trade centre at Hobart International Airport.

“This important investment for Hobart Airport will create new jobs during construction and in the ongoing operations of the centre while increasing the range of shops in Hobart to the benefit of consumers,” Mr Vaile said.

Based on advice from the Department of the Environment and Water Resources and the
Department of Transport and Regional Services, the Deputy Prime Minister approved the development subject to strict conditions to safeguard the surrounding environment and to address the potential economic impact on surrounding retail centres.

“My decision follows extensive public consultation undertaken by Hobart Airport last year and takes into account the comments made during the process,” Mr Vaile said.

“One of the major concerns raised during the public comment period was the potential economic impact of the factory outlet centre component of the airport retail centre on other retail hubs.

“The assessment process undertaken by my department included the appointment of an independent expert to review the economic impact assessment included in the major development plan.

“After careful consideration of the issues raised in the public comment period, the findings of the independent expert and of recent events in Hobart, I have decided to limit the factory outlet centre part of the development to a net lettable area of no more than 10,000 sqm. My decision to approve an area smaller than the 18,000 sqm applied for will provide a beneficial development for Hobart while limiting the impact on existing retailers.”

The airport retail centre will now be a single storey building with a total retail space of approx
53,000 sqm, which is 8,000 sqm less than the original proposal, and will include the direct factory outlet centre, a homemaker centre and a DIY/trade centre and parking for up to 2,300 cars.

“In particular I recognise that the development will not be operating for some time – which will allow time for the CBD retail buildings damaged and destroyed in the recent unfortunate fire to be restored,” Mr Vaile said.