Hobart and Geelong have become the latest cities to sign up to the Federal Government’s City Deals, which promises significant investment the regions' infrastructure. 

Both cities have signed memorandums of understanding, which will now lead to formalised discussions. 

Following on from the Launceston City Deal, the multi-million dollar Hobart City deal would see Tasmania’s capital city become home to an Antarctic and science precinct at Macquarie Point, although the Government is yet to make a funding commitment for the project.
 
The deal will also facilitate further talks on the University of Tasmania (UTAS) push to move its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) faculties to the Hobart CBD, the Macquarie Point redevelopment and a greater Hobart transport strategy.
 
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, Paul Fletcher, told the ABC that the transport strategy will assess options including busways, light-rail and ferries around the city, which has struggled to cope with its increasing traffic load.

"Obviously it's about the effective functioning of a city," Fletcher said.

"As cities grow, it's very important that their transport systems keep up with, and indeed, facilitate that growth."

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman said the agreement highlighted his government's priorities, targeting areas where Tasmania had competitive advantages.

"Our Antarctic connections, the opportunity for development in the space that is STEM, the ability for councils to come together to work collaboratively with the State Government," he said.

"It really lays down the blueprint for the greater Hobart City and its future."

In Geelong, Australia’s fastest growing city behind Melbourne, the State Government has indicated it will use the deal to push for the funding of projects including the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, The Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, The Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Project and The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the City Deal would be used to improve transport links in the region, revitalise the CBD, ensure the Great Ocean Road reaches its full potential, position Geelong as a “leading digital economy” and support innovation and the growth of knowledge industries, News Corp reports.

“A Geelong City Deal will help to deliver new jobs and make the area an ever better place to live and work with world class infrastructure projects and a tourism offer that is second to none for Victoria’s second city,” Turnbull said.

Launceston and Townsville have progressed to City Deals, while Western Sydney's is still at the MOU stage. A City Deal was also announced for Darwin in May 2017, but the NT News reports that the details are still being hashed out.