WALKWAY CASH
HOBART City Council plans to set aside $6.8 million in a fresh attempt to get the controversial Battery Point Walkway project moving forward.
The funding, from council’s 10-year capital works program, will be designated for the first stage of the project and signals the council’s determination to see the walkway built – should it get planning approval.
The money will be used in designing, developing and building the walkway and is more than double the $3 million previously set aside to pursue the project, which could cost up to $20 million.
Alderman Jeff Briscoe — a longtime supporter of the project — will submit a motion at the next city planning committee meeting, on November 13, for council to get a report from staff about funding and building options.
“We must make sure it continues to be at the forefront of our thinking,” Ald Briscoe said.
Lord Mayor Sue Hickey has already said it is the council’s firm belief that the walkway is what most people want.
City general manager Nick Heath said the council would turn its attention to the walkway once staff finished with two key pedestrian bridges, including a $1 million Brooker Ave span to link Bathurst St with the Queens Domain.
“We have some money in the budget but there hasn’t been a lot done to advance it just yet,” he said.
The two bridges have been discussed by the closed council regarding tendering issues encountered with the projects.
Stage one of a proposal to open up access to the foreshore was approved by the council in October 2014, but a group of 10 residents from Clarke Ave and Napoleon St appealed to the Resource Management and Planning Tribunal and the plan was quashed.
The group said it would wait and see the new plans before took a position on the latest attempt to get the project up.
It is understood any future plan would need to minimise the impact on waterfront property owners and solve issues with private jetty access.
Finance committee chairman Damon Thomas said a new Battery Point proposal would need a social licence.
“It’s a huge investment and as chairman of finance I believe if it goes ahead it must have the broader community support,” Alderman Thomas said.
“And it can’t be a project that is entirely funded by the City of Hobart.”
The council also plans to develop a masterplan for the Battery Point historic shipyards, with aldermen discussing it in the closed session of the last council meeting.