After 20 Years and $9 Million, Launceston’s Bus Interchange Saga is "Back to Square One"
Since 2005, efforts to relocate the St John Street bus interchange in Launceston have failed repeatedly, costing ratepayers nearly $9 million. The on-street interchange remains in its original location despite numerous studies and plans.
A Costly Cycle of Studies and Dead Ends
Taxpayers have funded at least five separate reports and studies since 2011, with the costs adding up quickly:
- $10,560 – Antisocial behaviour study (2011)
- $51,009 – Options study (2014)
- $8,800 – Bus movements study (2015)
- $28,800 – Report (2018)
- $27,500 – Update (2025)
Total spent on reports and studies alone: Approximately $127,000.
The $8.4 Million Building Purchase
In 2020, the council purchased the Birchalls building for $8.4 million, with the intention of linking it to a future bus station. Since then, additional costs for security, utilities, and maintenance amounted to $63,057 by June 2022. The building was transferred to developers in 2024 without direct financial return.
Property owner Allan Barr stated he would not have invested approximately $7 million in nearby properties since 2015 had he known the bus stops would remain.
Failed Acquisitions and Rising Consultancy Fees
The city’s attempts to acquire a car park for the project have also fallen short, costing $85,430 in legal fees and other costs by June 2022, plus approximately $50,000 for plans.
Consultancy fees of $128,350 were paid to SEMZ in 2025 for work related to finding a buyer for the Birchalls building. Meanwhile, security costs are mounting: between $25,000 and $30,000 was spent on the first four weeks of security patrols in 2025, and a contract for continued security until the end of the year is currently out for tender.
A total of $620,000 has been transferred from the council budget to progress the bus stop issue.
Latest Roadblock: State Government Rejects Key Option
In March 2025, the council discussed options after the Department of State Growth and Metro rejected moving stops to Civic Square, citing resource constraints and passenger convenience concerns.
Councillors voted to progress just two options:
- Moving some stops north along St John Street
- Keeping all stops in place
Councillor Tim Walker described the process as a "dog's breakfast" and stated that council is "back to square one."
Conflicting Views on the Core Problem
Kirsten Ritchie (Strike It Out) expressed the view that relocating the stop would not solve antisocial behaviour, while Brigid Wilkinson (Council on the Ageing) said older bus users should be consulted about any proposed changes.
Crime Data: One Assault in Four Months
Tasmania Police recorded one assault at any St John Street bus stop between November 2025 and February 2026. Data on less serious incidents was not provided.
The council’s 20-year saga has cost nearly $9 million — with the bus stops still exactly where they started.