Cabins plan stumbles
PLANNING scheme noncompliance could sink an eastern shore waterfront visitor accommodation project.
Sydney-based Ressen Property Group wants to build 14 cabins plus a reception area at Geilston Bay Rd overlooking the Derwent River.
Clarence City Council planning manager Ross Lovell said the project failed to meet several planning scheme requirements.
Concerns raised included that the level of impact was unreasonable, building height had not been minimised and the access road was unlikely to be safe, efficient or convenient.
The council received 48 representations from the community, and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation also raised concerns about the project, which is proposed for land near Shag Bay known for its Aboriginal heritage.
A report identified five Aboriginal heritage sites in the area, two previously unknown, indicating more could be uncovered during construction.
The development was modified to avoid impacts on three of the sites.
Nyrstar, which owns nearby land and operates a smelter across the Derwent River, suggested residents at the development might complain about odour, noise and fumes from their operations.
Other representations raised concerns about bushfire hazards, impact on flora and fauna, pedestrian safety and visual impacts.
Ressen Property Group is the company behind an appli- cation for a $30m 202-room serviced apartment hotel at the site of the former Myer homewares store in Macquarie St.
A development application for that project was approved by the Hobart City Council in 2015 but overturned on appeal to the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.
Ressen Property Group managing director Terry Choi had planned to take the case to the Supreme Court, but the new planning scheme opened the way for the developer to relodge the application with the council.
That application was resubmitted last week but is yet to be advertised.
While listed as the owner of the site on documents lodged with the council, Ressen did not respond to the Mercury’s calls yesterday.