In today’s Mercury on page twenty-five there is a fantastic opinion piece by their Launceston-based reporter, Alex Treacy, entitled ‘Launceston is leaving Hobart in the dust’. The headline, which based on the 120 comments the online version of the article has received has left Hobartians fuming, is followed by the bi-line ‘Launceston is a city on the move – while the state’s capital stands still’.
The opinion piece highlights some of the positive developments planned, commenced or nearing competition around our city, including the beautiful new St.LukesHealth building in Cimitiere Street, the brilliant buildings that make up the Inveresk Campus of the University of Tasmania and the $43.6 million Northern Suburbs Community Recreation Hub that will provide more participation opportunities for the entire city and compares and contrasts them to the challenges of the state’s capital.
But it begs the questions, what’s next for Launceston?
- With Councillors endorsing the City of Launceston Urban Greening Strategy 2023-2040 at last Thursday’s council meeting, work can now begin to implement the strategy and increase our urban canopy cover from 19% to 40% over the next seventeen years.
- The Albert Hall redevelopment is anticipated to get underway in early 2024. Once completed this will reopen a valuable conference and community asset.
- Will 2024 see City Heart Stage 2 projects commence?
Call me parochial but reading Alex’s op-ed made me proud of our city and excited for 2024 and beyond…
Read the Mercury article here