Legislative Council, Tuesday 14 April 2026
Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN
With regard to the currently vacant Hydro building on King Island:
- Can the Minister provide an update on the status and intended future use of the building;
- Is the Minister aware of any discussions between Hydro Tasmania and the local Council regarding the building’s potential transfer, and whether it may be made available for community use, including by groups such as Landcare or the State Emergency Service; and
- Can the Minister advise whether any decisions have been made regarding its future allocation?
ANSWER
Question 1: Can the Minister provide an update on the status and intended future use of the building
- In 2024, we made an Election Commitment to “work with Hydro Tasmania to provide Council with the unused Hydro building in Currie, now surplus to needs, that will enable Council to refurbish and repurpose the building”
- Since then, we have engaged with both the King Island Council and Hydro Tasmania on this commitment.
- In March 2026, the King Island Council wrote to us, confirming that following internal assessment, they do not have any current need for the building and would instead support the building being divested in a way that support local business and community.
- We are now currently working with Hydro Tasmania on the future use of this building, noting that the original intent of the election commitment was to support the economic growth of King Island.
Question 2: Is the Minister aware of any discussions between Hydro Tasmania and the local Council regarding the building’s potential transfer, and whether it may be made available for community use, including by groups such as Landcare or the State Emergency Service
- I am advised that Hydro Tasmania has taken King Island Council representatives through the property at least three times since March 2025, and the Council has been provided with building drawings and land information as requested.
- Hydro Tasmania has not had any further contact with King Island Council since May 2025.
- Hydro Tasmania have advised that they have previously had discussions with Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), State Emergency Service (SES), and King Island Dairy on future use of the building.
- However, at that time, the Election Commitment to the King Island Council was still being progressed, with the promise to the Council taking precedence.
- Hydro Tasmania have advised they have not had any discussions with Landcare regarding the future use of the building.
Question 3: Can the Minister advise whether any decisions have been made regarding its future allocation?
- Now that the Council has confirmed that they have no need for the building, we are now currently working with Hydro Tasmania on the future use of this building.
- No decisions have been made as of yet to the specifics of what that allocation is.