Bill in protest group’s sights

ANTI- SKYSCRAPER group Hobart Not Highrise has now set its sights on the State Government and its proposed major projects legislation.

After collecting the 1000 ratepayer signatures required for the Hobart City Council to hold a public meeting — held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor last night — group president Brian Corr said they would not pursue a non-binding electors poll that could cost ratepayers $150,000.

“We can revisit it pretty quickly if we want to,” he said.

“But we don’t want to burden a cost on the ratepayers.”

Mr Corr said the group — which has been campaigning against plans by the Singapore-based Fragrance Group to build a 210m-high hotel on Davey St and another on Collins St — would remain active.

He said their activities would focus on urban design consultant Leigh Woolley’s reports for the council, and the major projects legislation that would give the Government the power to “call in” certain developments from councils for assessment.

“The policy gives too much power to the [Local Government] Minister,” Mr Corr said.

“Having such power in the hands of one person is not democratic, and leaves it open to corruption.”

Head of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Peter McGlone said the legislation was too broad.

“There is nothing in the legislation that rules out a very tall building,” he said.

Mr Corr and Mr McGlone were among numerous speakers to discuss the increasingly divisive issue of building heights in Hobart, with a near full house in the Grand Chancellor’s ballroom.

A song by the Hobart Not Highrise choir, urging the city to stay low, was also played.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said it was great to see so many of the city’s citizens turn out for an issue that could shape the city, but she said aldermen were bound by their obligations as a planning authority.

Hobart director of city planning Neil Noye said the council was still seeking some more information from the Fragrance Group regarding the two developments, including on hydraulic infrastructure given the Hobart Rivulet’s proximity.

The council is expected to vote on Monday on whether to include modelling for maximum building heights in areas of the city in the brief for Mr Woolley.