An Antarctic research precinct could be built in Hobart as part of a federal government City Deal criticised by Labor as nothing more than a 'to-do' list.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Will Hodgman signed the agreement to progress the deal at Hobart's waterfront on Tuesday morning, months out from a state election.
The fourth under the federal government's Smart Cities Plan, the deal will investigate moving the University of Tasmania's Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) centre to Hobart's CBD.
It will also look at plans for a light rail and a public transport strategy for the city and ways to support affordable housing.
Mr Turnbull said plans for a "world-leading" Antarctic research hub at Macquarie Point would be furthered.
However, no funding has been allocated to any projects.
"Of course it's too early to say what the total investment would be," Mr Turnbull said.
Tasmanians are expected to go to the polls in March, in what is tipped to be a tight election.
State opposition leader Rebecca White and Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese labelled the City Deal announcement as electioneering.
"(It) is simply a to-do list with no new funding attached. It is an agreement to work on an agreement," Mr Albanese said.
Mr Turnbull couldn't confirm whether the City Deal would be honoured if Labor were to seize power.
"Well I'm looking forward to Hodgman government being elected," he said.
Townsville, Western Sydney and Launceston have already been named as locations for City Deals that involve local, state and federal governments working together on infrastructure and job opportunities under an agreed timetable and plan.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie backed the Hobart deal but called on the federal government to commit to funding.
"It's unfortunate that it takes a state election to draw out this announcement, but that's just the nature of our cynical political culture these days," he said in a statement.
