George Town, Tasmania

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George Town (41°06′S 146°49′E) is one of the larger towns in north-east Tasmania, on the eastern bank of the mouth of the Tamar River. The town has a population of 4,129 although this declined by 8.7% in the five years to 2001 and further over fifteen years.^[1] It is the regional centre of the George Town Council Local Government Area.

George Town is the third oldest settlement in Australia after Sydney and Hobart. It was the initial northern Tasmanian settlement in 1803, before the main site was moved to Launceston.

George Town is well known as the Tasmanian port for the now defunct SeaCat fast passenger ferry. Basslink, the 400 kV high-voltage direct current submarine cable connecting Tasmania to the National Electricity Market, will terminate in George Town. The municipal area has a population of 6,728 (2001 census).

1 Geography and landmarks
2 Proposed Developments
3 Surrounding communities
4 Tourism
5 Events
6 References

[edit] Geography and landmarks

Mt. George
Low Head
Batman Bridge - Joining the George Town Municipality to the West Tamar
Tamar River

[edit] Proposed Developments

[edit] Gunns Ltd Pulp Mill

Gunns Limited have recently proposed a Pulp Mill to be built in the George Town Area, said to be 'the world's greenest pulp mill', The Tasmanian community have a divided opinion due to environmental issues. it is set to be going ahead in a few years.

The Mill is expected to create 1,000 new jobs and boost the population of the George Town area.

[edit] Windmill Point Hotel

A 4 level Hotel has been proposed by a Queensland company, this will also include a 20 storey look-out. The project designs show a light house style tower, that will glow in the dark and its developers claim it will "be Tamania's Sydney Opera House". The George Town Council has supported the project, but many in the community disagree with the proposal. The project is expected to cost around $20 million.

[edit] Gas power station

Alinta propose to build a 200 MW gas-fired power station in the vicinity of George Town. It would create 200 direct and 100 indirect jobs during construction, proposed to begin in 2007 to be generating electricity from 2009.^[2]