SKYSCRAPER THUMBS DOWN

Skyscraper in Central Hobart?

THE people have spoken — most Tasmanians don’t want skyscrapers towering over the Hobart CBD.

Exclusive Mercury polling conducted by ReachTEL shows 62.4 per cent of Tasmanians do not support skyscrapers in central Hobart, with 20.1 per cent in favour of skyscrapers and 17.5 undecided. The poll of 2817 Tasmanians was conducted on Thursday and Friday.

Hobart Not Highrise spokesman Brian Corr, right, said the poll results were no surprise to members of his group.

The result was particularly stark in the Hobart electorate of Denison, where 74.7 of those polled did not support skyscrapers, with 12.1 per cent in favour and 13.2 undecided.

The issue also cut across the political divide, with a majority of Liberal, Labor and Green voters opposed.

Green voters were most opposed at 79.7 per cent, followed by Labor voters at 66.4 per cent and Liberal voters 56.1.

The age group least keen on skyscrapers was 65-and-over, with 73.1 per cent opposed, while people aged 18-34 were evenly split, with 40 per cent opposed and 40.4 in favour.

The question was posed following significant backlash against Singaporean developer Fragrance Group’s plan to built two massive skyscrapers in Hobart.

In October last year, Fragrance unveiled its skyline-altering vision, including a 120-metre tower and hotel complex in Davey St and a 75-metre hotel in Collins St.

However, details of devel- opment applications lodged with the council reveal the buildings to be much higher than originally indicated.

The Davey St building is 186 metres at the roof and 211 metres to the top of the spire, while the Collins St building is 84 metres to the roof and 94 meters to the top of the spire.

Mr Corr said the Mercury-ReachTEL poll results supported the work of Hobart Not Highrise, which had lobbied against the hotels.

“There is a very strong feeling against it,” he said.

Mr Corr said much of the opposition revolved around a desire to protect Hobart’s heritage buildings and views of the mountain and river.

“Some people remember the campaign in the 1980s when the Grand Chancellor was built ... 30 years on, we are having the same battle to protect that area,” he said.

Hobart Not Highrise will host its first major public meeting tomorrow night at the Hobart Town Hall.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said the poll result reflected much of the public sentiment that had been directed to the council to date.

“Certainly we are feeling the rage from some people and we understand the concerns from the general public,” Ald Hickey said.

“We’re glad there’s been polling. It’s probably very reflective of the way people have been contacting us. I can’t say I’m surprised by the results.”

She said it was important for the public to understand the “dilemma” faced by aldermen acting as a planning authority. Aldermen were prohibited from expressing views on a development which they were yet to vote on as a council

“That’s the dilemma we’ve got — trying to get the public to understand [that] as a group of aldermen, we are legally bound to be independent,” Ald Hickey said.

Elected members also don’t have all the details of the Fragrance skyscraper applications because they are still in the hands of council planning officers.

Given he has no involvement in planning decisions on the Fragrance skyscrapers, Premier Will Hodgman has been more free with his opinions.

Mr Hodgman said last week he had “serious reservations” about the biggest skyscraper in Davey St.

At the same time, Mr Hodgman balanced his comments by welcoming Fragrance’s developments in Hobart, including the recently opened Ibis Styles hotel in Macquarie St.

A State Government spokesman confirmed the state had no role to play in whether the skyscrapers ended up being built.

“The Government has no plans to intervene in the planning process for proposed high-rise hotels in Hobart. It’s important to get the balance right between the need for new accommodation and investment and showcasing Hobart’s heritage,” he said.

Other prominent Tasmanians to enter the fray against the skyscrapers have included senior tourism figures, author Richard Flanagan, celebrated architect Robert Morris-Nunn and actor Essie Davis.

The Fragrance Group could not be contacted.