Developer promises the world’s best

THE company behind a proposed hotel and hospitality training school at Bellerive has acknowledged residents’ concerns about the project.

But overseas investment deputy general manager Finely Zhang, of Chinese company Chambroad, said it was a chance for Tasmania to have the world’s best hospitality training.

A presentation to about 100 University of the Third Age members in Hobart yesterday was the first time the company had discussed its plans publicly.

Mr Zhang was joined by architect Robert Morris-Nunn, whose company is designing the proposed development.

Mr Zhang said he was aware of community concern about the project.

“Tasmania’s not like any other state in Australia, or in the world. The nature is fantastic,” he said.

“I don’t want to jeopardise any of the nature.”

Mr Zhang said the development was “for the future”.

He said he wanted the hospitality school, which would be linked with the site’s worldclass hotel, TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania, to be the best in the world.

“We say the hotel is actually subsidiary to the training [school] ... but the hotel itself has to be a fantastic hotel,” he said.

Professor Morris-Nunn said Chambroad was “not your average Chinese investor” and drew on Confucian principles.

He said Chambroad was engaged in petrochemicals, technology and education, culture and art, environmental protection, agriculture and real estate.

Prof Morris-Nunn said Hunter Developments had development rights for Kangaroo Bay when Chambroad said it was interested in the site.

He said the companies were now working together on the project, with Hunter Developments as architects.

The development also includes plans for garden courtyards and shops.

Community group Kangaroo Bay Voice opposes the development over lack of consultation, its size and increased traffic, among other concerns.

An appeal against the development from Bellerive resident James Lockley was heard by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal earlier this year.

In February the tribunal decided to add more conditions to the planning permit for the project.