As there are so many retail developments and proposals in Hobart, Launceston and Tasmania's regional cities, I think I'll start a Tas retail thread.

Eastlands, Hobart, major expansion submitted to council:

http://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Advertised_plans_26_Bligh_Street_D-2011_451_-_28Mar2012.pdf

Added to the new, and now expanded, Myer development, Channel Court, (Kingston), extension, Harvey Norman developments on the NW coast and the battle between K Mart and Big W for a vacant site in Launcestion is seems Tassie's economic woes haven't affected retail growth. Cat and Fiddle Arcade getting a multi-million dollar refurbishment too.

I'm enthused by the level of development in Tasmania, Hobart specifically and I think that the economic benefits will flow through to the community.

As for the cat and fiddle development its a long overdue upgrade to the dilapidated city centre, combined with the Elizabeth St. Myer development our CBD will be unrecognizable by 2014 :)

Also, funnily enough I'm most excited to have a proper food court at Eastlands, no more cramming in under the escalators with too few seats for everyone!

Yeah, C & F Arcade was 'cutting edge' 45 years ago but looks very drab these days. But how many times can the existing very old buildings, which were modified to create the arcade back in the 60's, just have new shop fronts tacked on. The whole lot will have to be flattened one day. Pity the new Myer development didn't inspire a complete rebuild of most of that block.

As far as I can tell the Eastlands expansion will include 17 new stores, a 'mini major'..Target, maybe, and a large food court. I see the council wants to open the bus mall outside Eastlands to cars once again. Not sure if that's really progress, to encourage more cars.

Bunnings in Burnie has been given the go-ahead by the state planning commission.

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/hardware-giant-nails-final-approval/2503032.aspx

The facade work on the Cat and Fiddle Arcade in central Hobart has certainly improved the look of the place. And the Les Lees Building in Liverpool Street is also to undergo a revamp apparently.

If the Riverlea Development on the old Odeon Theatre site happens that will also introduce some new retail for the CBD. And don't forget, of course, that David Jones is still following up some proposals for a new full line department store in central Hobart which has, apparently, moved to a much more serious footing...

With the Mercury site about to be sold it could be an ideal site for DJ's. Retain the facade and Ingle Hall and build a new department store behind. Would be a fantastic, prestige location. The Mercury site surely has to be the best development site for sale in the CBD for decades.

With the Mercury site about to be sold it could be an ideal site for DJ's. Retain the facade and Ingle Hall and build a new department store behind. Would be a fantastic, prestige location. The Mercury site surely has to be the best development site for sale in the CBD for decades.

Good call pearcey. It would be a perfect location because you could also incorporate a multi level car park in the old printing works part of the building at the back to serve DJ customers and possibly add a roof top cafeteria on the main building overlooking part of Franklin Square and the Town Hall.

Good points Pearcey and OptomistOne. Converting the Mercury to a hotel would be nice yes but David Jones would be stunning. The DJ's in Sydney is a beautiful old building from memory; it would be perfect.

In regards to the Odeon site, I read an article in the Mercury in the last week or two that said it had been approved. I tried to find it to post on here but can't find it anywhere...

.

In regards to the Odeon site, I read an article in the Mercury in the last week or two that said it had been approved. I tried to find it to post on here but can't find it anywhere...

Yes I saw that article too. I suppose it should go on the 145 Liverpool Street thread!

Its great to see all this retail development in Tasmania and in particular in Hobart. Has anyone been able to locate the plans for the Cat and Fiddle development online ?.

Welcome to the site Genxhobartian!

The plans were lodged with the Council last year so won't be on the HCC website anymore but if anyone knows who the owners are (some WA company apparently) or the leasing agents, there might be something on their websites.

Further to my post from the other day, I walked past the Collins Street side of the Cat and Fiddle Building and man, VOS constructions are really going to town - if you look closely all that is left is the facade - most of the roof is being torn off and there is a heap of rubble from internal demolition! Its a much bigger project than I imagined.

Difficult to get any photos though but the following report from the Hobart Mercury earlier this year does give some idea of the size of the redevelopment - it, with the other developments, will certainly make Hobart CBD the best place in Tasmania for shopping, which is what the HCC want.

THE Cat & Fiddle arcade in Hobart's city centre is getting a $12 million refurbishment, which its new owners say will transform it into a shoppers' paradise.

Silverleaf Investments took over the centre last February and almost immediately started planning the revamp of the exterior and interior of the 50-year-old arcade which will be completed over six stages.

Cat & Fiddle retail manager Caroline McGovern said the renovations would be the start of a revitalisation of Hobart's central business district.

"It will be a little piece of Chadstone in Hobart," she said.

"Everything will have quality finishes, I think shoppers will be impressed.

"But the iconic musical Cat & Fiddle clock will still, of course, remain the feature of the arcade."

Work on stage one has already begun, with the painting of the facade of the building to a more modern colour, and new steel-and-glass awnings will be installed over the next week.

Other stages will include a new roof, including skylights allowing for more natural light, new facades and awnings on all entrances, the demolishing and rebuilding of the upper level and new lifts and escalators from the mall.

The arcade was built in 1962 and will later this year celebrate it's 50th birthday.

There have been no major works done on the shopping hub for more than 46 years.

The refurbishment is expected to draw people back into the heart of Hobart.

"The upper level will be a new fashion mall, with some national mainland brands that aren't here yet," Ms McGovern said.

"It will start a whole new wave of interest in the CBD, and give a new shopping environment."

The refurbishment is expected to be completed about 12 months before the Myer stage one development is finished for Christmas 2013.

A walkway through from Myer to Cat & Fiddle will be restored, allowing people to move easily through the CBD.

Retail Traders Association of Tasmania vice-president Andrew Winch said the refurbishment would be a huge boost to Hobart's city centre and benefit all retailers.

"It's going to be great for the city," he said.

"Any development is good and there is a fair bit going on at the moment.

"Anything that will bring people into the city is positive and a bit of competition is healthy."

He said the new-look Cat & Fiddle would enhance shoppers' retail experience and add to the new Myer development.

I find the "little piece of chadstone" comment humorous.. I have high expectations now :-) ..

That skylight will be great too, the old one was very shabby. Does anyone know when the lower level will be resurfaced? those red bricks are just awful..and they're all on a funny angle!

Looks like Big W was won approval for a new development in Launceston. Apparently KMart was also bidding for the site. Must be some confidence in retail in Tassie.

Relating to the topic of retail, from today's mercury:

POSITIVE vibes in Hobart are helping retail in the CBD to grow, the small business council says.

Tasmanian Small Business Council chief executive Robert Mallett yesterday said despite a measure of gloom among shoppers, retailers were optimistic about the CBD's future.

The comments come as the latest CommSec State of the States report shows Tasmania has the weakest growth on monthly retail trade compared with decade averages.

It had the biggest drop in jobs with a trend jobless rate lifting from 5.1 per cent to 7.2 per cent now 18 per cent above the decade-average level of 6.1 per cent.

But Mr Mallett said new businesses were opening up in the CBD, highlighting confidence.

"I have recently spoken to a number of the new traders and it is really heartening to see their enthusiasm and commitment to the future," he said.

Mr Mallett said a positive "can-do" attitude from the Hobart City Council was helping.

He said the threat of online shopping could be overstated.

"There has been a significant level of speculation from some that have advocated that the internet spelt the death knell of traditional retailing," he said.

But Penni Castellana, from The Stash Cupboard, a new business in Liverpool St, said it was the lack of opportunity to touch and feel her purchases over the internet prior to buying which encouraged her to open the business.'

Mrs Castellana said her future looked bright in the CBD after opening her business less than two weeks ago.

"Small specialist shops are always in demand and with the resurgence of the needle arts, now was the right time to turn my passion into my livelihood," she said.

The CommSec report showed Tasmania had the greatest fall in economic performance of any of the state and territory economies over the past three months.

Just a quck one from today's Mercury:

THE Clock Court in Hobart's Cat and Fiddle Arcade will once again be the shining centrepiece of the city.

Construction of a new roof for the Cat and Fiddle is under way, with a large circular skylight expected to give the court a similar feel to its open-air origins in the 1960s.

The roof is part of a $12 million refurbishment that centre managers say will transform the arcade into a Melbourne-style retail centre.

The upgrade, due for completion next May, will add 15 new retailers as centre tenants.

Cat and Fiddle retail manager Caroline McGovern said the new roof was being built over the top of the existing roofline and was just three weeks from completion.

It's a massive project that last week saw builders shut off Liverpool St after hours to bring a 160-tonne crane on to the site.

The crane was used to lift large metal beams over existing buildings to the Collins St side of the centre.

Building manager Rod Kershaw, of Construction 3, said glass would create two large "football-shaped" skylights and a long skylight would stretch from the centre of the complex to the Clock Court.

"It's unlike anything I've had to do," he said. "Everything is custom-fit, custom-measured and custom-made. It won't be a dark and dingy Cat and Fiddle any more. It will be completely new and modern."

Ms McGovern said new Collins St shopfronts and stores would open in August, followed by new-look shops on Murray St.

The final stage of the project, which will dramatically redevelop the centre's frontage on to the Elizabeth Mall, will begin in October and should be finished next May.

The makeover will include a multi-storey glass facade with external escalators to the second level.

Ms McGovern said the look was inspired by modernisations of shopping precincts in Melbourne.

"People won't recognise the place within a year," she said. "We're going for a [Melbourne] Federation Square look."

Ms McGovern said the refurbishment was running to a tight schedule but she was confident of meeting deadlines.

The Cat and Fiddle Arcade redevelopment is one of several key projects under way or earmarked for the city.

The Sunday Tasmanian reported in August that $1.3 billion of developments are expected to take place in the city in the next five years.

They include the $100 million Myer redevelopment, the $586 million Royal Hobart Hospital upgrade, the $200 million TMAG facelift and the recently opened $50 million upgrade to Wellington Court.

More investment in Tasmanian retail:

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/06/02/333811_todays-news.html

From the ABC 13-6-12:

"Hobart retailers and the city council are confident the CBD can withstand competition from Tasmania's first Direct Factory Outlet.

The DFO, to be built near the Hobart Airport, has been planned for 18 months.

The retail property company Metier Consult says 75 per cent of the retail space has been taken up and subject to finance, construction will start in October.

David Parker of the Australian Retailers Association says Hobart will still thrive.

"With the Myer development on track and with the big new development of the Cat and Fiddle arcade."

The Lord Mayor Damon Thomas says millions are being spent on new retail outlets in Hobart.

"The Hobart CBD remains and will become an even more exciting place."
The Mayor of Clarence, Doug Chipman, says if the DFO becomes a reality, it will complement nearby retailing."

Cheers Pearcey - I am actually looking forward to seeing the DFO start...it will be a major catalyst for further development in the airport precinct.

Just a quick post about some eastern shore developments.

An unknown developer has applied to Clarence council for a large showroom, warehouse, office complex at Cambridge. Expected employment about 60, so must be a largish 2 level development.

Glebe Hill commercial centre awaiting approval. Supermarket, 9 shops, service station, Opposite the main entrance to the existing Glebe Hill site off Pass Road. Also 220+ new residential lots.

Expect some retail development at Lauderdale over the next few years too.

Work on the revamped Cat and Fiddle Arcade in central Hobart continues apace...Stage 2 should be finished by Christmas. Should be pretty impressive once it is all finished.

http://imageshack.us/a/img189/3060/salamanca001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/salamanca001.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img141/3118/salamanca002.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/141/salamanca002.jpg/)

http://imageshack.us/a/img29/6721/salamanca003.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/salamanca003.jpg/)

Yeah, coming along alright.
Ceiling looks pretty high too if it's taken to the skylight, which is very nice.

I was delighted to see the flooring of the ramp and lower level, across from centrepoint has been renovated. It's flat now... no more tripping on the old wavy brick.:)

Only thing, did anyone notice a way to lower level from upper level, or know anything about any plans there?
The stairs are blocked as shown in the last image above.

Courtesy of the ABC:

"Tasmania's retail sector has been dealt a double blow, after plans for a massive direct factory outlet were scrapped and five Chickenfeed stores shut down across the state.
The $120 million D-F-O was set to be built near the Hobart Airport, promising up to 500 jobs during construction and 800 retail positions.
About 80 per cent of the lease space had been taken.
One of the companies behind the project says it has been axed because backers can't get funding.
It comes just as the Shop, Distributive and Allied employees Association claims five more Chickenfeed stores have closed in Tasmania.
The union says the Huonville, Kings Meadows , Mowbray, Sandy Bay and Wynyard shops have shut their doors.
Three other Chickenfeed stores were recently closed in Tasmania's south.
The company has been contacted for comment."

DFOs are somewhat over-rated. I can't think of anything found at a DFO store that you would be able to find somewhere else or, more importantly, online. Also it would have drawn people away from the city. not really a big loss...

^^ Yes, I agree Ordex.

DFO's are souless places - I noticed the one at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne was half empty with a lot of empty sites when I was there recently. As a retail concept I think the DFO heydeys are probably over with people returning to big CBD stores featuring overseas chains and on-line shopping.

No great loss really and in a 'silver lining' sort of way the demise of the DFO virtually guarantees the Eastlands, Myer Centre and possibly new David Jones developments going ahead.

And as for the Chickenfeed Stores closing, I will bet anyone London to a brick that within a few months at least, some of them will re-open as Shipload stores given that the owners of the freehold stores which have closed are also the developers of the Shiploads chain...

Yeah, I guess businesses in the CBD and Rosny will be relieved. Hopefully Eastland's expansion will go ahead as plans were submitted to CCC last month. Any news on whether the old Mercury building has been sold? As I posted previously it would make an excellent David Jones store!

There appears a development application to CCC for further parking and 8 tenancies of bulky goods type development between k&d and hydro at cambridge.

11,300 square meter GLA and 277 car spaces.

Interesting as there are several empty stores already at the centre, including the massive space that was Everyday Living.


Also it looks like Rosny bus mall is becoming open to traffic by the end of the year.

DFO's are souless places - I noticed the one at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne was half empty with a lot of empty sites when I was there recently.

While i agree with the sentiment, you did pick the most extreme example in Australia there :lol:
That centre wasn't quite as bad before DFO moved to south wharf.

DFO's are souless places - I noticed the one at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne was half empty with a lot of empty sites when I was there recently.

this is pretty much my experience at the Canberra DFO as well

this is pretty much my experience at the Canberra DFO as well

and the Cairns one.

A couple of new retail developments in the North. Courtesy of 'The Examiner":

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/405088/mowbray-store-creates-90-jobs/?cs=95

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/404944/retail-bulls-eye-for-launceston/?cs=94

Most recent Cat and Fiddle Arcade up-grade pics. Looking good. Should be finished in the next 3 weeks then after Christmas work will start on Stage 2.


http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2176/city100002.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/38/city100002.jpg/)


http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9303/city100003.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/city100003.jpg/)


http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6457/city100004.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/city100004.jpg/)

Is the floor going to be completely revamped with the tiles that are down in the entrance from Collins st? That lino is......ah.....tacky. What does stage two involve?

Thanks for the pics optomist
I guess they would continue those shiny tiles from collins street, probably those older shopfronts will be revamped as well. Would be suprisied if they didn't.

I see they put the stairs back.

It's great to see this stuff, the place will be unrecognisable (well it already is).


Any ideas what happened to the food court that was there. Are those facilities gone for good from C&F?
There is "food court" downstairs but it's a bit of a mess. Mostly running as a teenagers Mcdonalds/Donut King hangout.
I'm very curious as to what will happen regarding food/seating areas. Perhaps those type of facilities will pushed and enhanced into elizabeth mall which wouldn't be bad I suppose.

Thanks for the pics optomist
I guess they would continue those shiny tiles from collins street, probably those older shopfronts will be revamped as well. Would be suprisied if they didn't.

I see they put the stairs back.

It's great to see this stuff, the place will be unrecognisable (well it already is).


Any ideas what happened to the food court that was there. Are those facilities gone for good from C&F?
There is "food court" downstairs but it's a bit of a mess. Mostly running as a teenagers Mcdonalds/Donut King hangout.
I'm very curious as to what will happen regarding food/seating areas. Perhaps those type of facilities will pushed and enhanced into elizabeth mall which wouldn't be bad I suppose.

I think we can say goodbye to a food court in C&F. It looks like the next and only decent food court will be downstairs/basement in the Myer development...which appears to be better that C&F ever was!

Is the floor going to be completely revamped with the tiles that are down in the entrance from Collins st? That lino is......ah.....tacky. What does stage two involve?

AA, I dont know about the floors upstairs but I suspect it will at least be given a good clean if not new flooring laid down.

Stage 2, as I understand it, pushes through to the Mall and involves taking the front off the old Fitzgerald Department Store in the Mall and replacing it with a 3-4 storey glass atrium, new retail space and escalators.

That work is scheduled to start in February and take about 6 months or so but I dont know for sure - another SSC member might have the details but no doubt we will get an announcement from the developers once the first stage is finished in a couple of weeks.

Few more pics for the curious of the current state:

Collins Street entrance
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3355/img20121106110731.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/img20121106110731.jpg/)

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/8741/img20121106110619.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/img20121106110619.jpg/)

Entrance from mall, payless shoes are gone (space for lease)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9818/img20121106104200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/img20121106104200.jpg/)


There is a little food area here (one shop at the moment)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/493/img20121106103756.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/img20121106103756.jpg/)

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/1333/img20121106104046.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/img20121106104046.jpg/)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2143/img20121106104052.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/img20121106104052.jpg/)

Crappy picture sorry its quite dark here atm.
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/750/img20121106103922.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/img20121106103922.jpg/)

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/61/img20121106103709.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/img20121106103709.jpg/)

Some more walls have been filled and additional lights.
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9954/img20121106103657.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/img20121106103657.jpg/)


Note the tile stacks and bare floor. Stairs are opened (but still not quite finished)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/856/img20121106103627.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/img20121106103627.jpg/)

There was a couple of stacks around
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5476/img20121106103616.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/img20121106103616.jpg/)

Excellent, looks good. Thank god the new owners bought it when they did, Centro (was it Centro?) were running the poor place into the ground. Could have done with better selection of shops, but hopefully that will come with time. I'd hardly call Lane & Ridges or Millers a 'piece of chadstones' haha! Overkill with the shoe shops, but witchery, lulu lemon and T2 are all great. The positive to that part is they're just leasing the retail spaces, so the duds might (hopefully) fail, allowing other more 'chadstone' style shops to come in (if the developer is proactive)

I agree Aussie, it seems like the tenancy agreements will be different compared to the old centro days and that we see some mobility with retailers.

Crazy to think though that Hobart has no genuine food court, a capital city of Australia.. I bet that in Melbourne an interim one would be knocked up and not leave people high and dry for 2 years or so.

I think it will take a while for these new shops to find themselves here...like how many Tasmanite's have seen T2 before?


Myer will have a sort of food court (in 2 years as you say), not typical food court though, more gourmet tassie food type stuff.

But yes there's no serious centralised place with the variety of stuff we know works well and creates a properly functioning food court.
It's supposed to be inviting and easy enough to keep people around instead of just going home or out of the CBD.

Too bad if someone wants KFC, Jan wants her fresh salad sandwich, Steve wants decent coffee, Bob wants bag of nuts, Earl wants noodles or kebab and you want fish and chips. Someone will be on every block of the CBD ordering their food...now where is the appealing place do we eat?... the waterfront is too far away and has no seating or place to be anyway. :nuts::bash:


The CBD really needs to get a focus if they want more people around.

Too bad if someone wants KFC, Jan wants her fresh salad sandwich, Steve wants decent coffee, Bob wants bag of nuts, Earl wants noodles or kebab and you want fish and chips. Someone will be on every block of the CBD ordering their food...now where is the appealing place do we eat?... the waterfront is too far away and has no seating or place to be anyway. :nuts::bash:

The CBD really needs to get a focus if they want more people around.

Haha, well said.. I guess the reason as to why it hasn't been done is that there is nowhere large enough currently available to seat 200+ people and house 15 or so food retailers in one space.. Space like that only comes up in a blue moon, Myer could have been an opportunity, but I guess the gourmet thing creates a better tourist image.

Don't want to start a new thread so will ask here.
Does anyone know whether the Mercury building has been sold or leased yet?
As the Mercury is now established elsewhere and expressions of interest in its former HQ closed in March, I'm just wondering if there's any action? It's a magnificent site for a hotel, prestige retail, apartments etc. Anything but a carpark!

I'll reply to my own post:

Building was 'under contract' in August but I haven't found details regarding a sale.

Some info on further stages of the mall-arcade and entrance.
The final stage of the re-development will include the installaition of new excelators and lifts at the Elizabeth Mall end of the Arcade. New flooring, ceilings and lighting. There will be approximately 6 new shops created on the upper level. The facade facing onto Elizabveth Mall will be transformed into a modern, vibrant exterior and will include images of the history of the Arcade.

Also some piccies, these are probably out of date by now. Interesting nonetheless. (click through for the full sizes)


Lower Level. Noticing the new shops proposed in the arcade replacing most of the hideous target roller doors.
http://i.imgur.com/Lz8sWl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Lz8sW)


Upper Level
http://i.imgur.com/Uh2Btl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Uh2Bt)


And some pretty rough renders
http://i.imgur.com/YY249l.jpg (http://imgur.com/YY249)

http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/11/28/367123_tasmania-news.html

Funny reading comments on the Mercury and thinking just how much this sort of mentality and no confidence is encouraged from "politics" and media.

Funny reading comments on the Mercury....

The word I would use is 'depressing'

Anyone seen anything new happening to the mall/arcade entrance?
As far as I know priceline has been temporarily relocated but wonder if they are doing anything there yet.

Yes cotton on is closed and gutted and that corner is fenced off so it's all happening!

Yep, there is something happening now. Based on the first stage, it will be great when it's all finished.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/8655/myersite005.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/myersite005.jpg/)

Thanks, indeed should make a huge difference to.

This place on bathurst is truly gutted, but the facade looks mostly intact.

http://i.imgur.com/KbskA6Y.jpg

Just one quick snap of the on-going works. Hard to get a decent angle. :ohno:

There was a fair bit of noise and dust around so the workers were in there demolishing away...

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4932/catandfiddle001.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/catandfiddle001.jpg/)

Cool, they are really going to town with the demolishion in there. Last time I saw they had some doors on the side open nearer the entrance to c&f (could see in) with a couple of bobcat type things, jackhammer's and about 20 guys around in the dust. This was like a week ago.

A proposal has been lodged with the Clarence City Council for a Woolworths supermarket and 9 or 10 specialty shops on South Arm Highway at Lauderdale.

The fact that the major tenant has been named makes me believe this will go ahead. Given that there is to be a new shopping centre at Glebe Hill, 2 or 3 k's away, I wonder if Hobart is being over supplied with retail?

Plans here:

http://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Advertising%2027%20March%202013%20Lauderdale%20Woolworths%20D-2013_26.pdf

I think some quality modern non-claustrophobic shopping centers are welcome.
Just wish they would include some more people places I find hobart and areas sorely lacking in central places where people would go and spend some time relax (shops/cafe/waterfront/whatever areas). Too much go-go-go-hurry-up-out-of-my-way places plonked straight over the highway with no parking except 10 narrow spaces with 3 lane traffic zooming past at 70kmh.

A proposal has been lodged with the Clarence City Council for a Woolworths supermarket and 9 or 10 specialty shops on South Arm Highway at Lauderdale.

The fact that the major tenant has been named makes me believe this will go ahead. Given that there is to be a new shopping centre at Glebe Hill, 2 or 3 k's away, I wonder if Hobart is being over supplied with retail?

Plans here:

http://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Advertising%2027%20March%202013%20Lauderdale%20Woolworths%20D-2013_26.pdf

I know Lauderdale is only small but i think it would be good if they added some apartments ontop of this woolworths development.