HOBART DEVELOPMENT

BE careful what you wish for (“Take a leaf from green Barangaroo”, Letters, August 9). Commercial developments are needed but must not destroy the heritage of Sydney, or Hobart. Barangaroo Parklands on Sydney Harbour are adjacent to high-rise developments, including Crown Resorts’ 71-storey tower monstrosity. Past the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the “Toaster” apartments block views on the eastern side of Circular Quay. I fondly remember the walk from the ferry terminals to the Opera House in the 1970s before they were built. Bennelong Point lost its special character. Private interests and greed defeated the value of public open space.

Equivalent locations are Sullivans Cove and Castray Esplanade. The lack of an overall plan for the waterfront has not improved the area. Piecemeal developments, especially high-rise hotels, are not the answer. One Davey is not compatible with the historic precinct of Hunter St. The apartments dwarf the finely restored buildings of the waterfront’s best streetscape. It is pleasing to see public space and walkways in the proposed developments of lower Murray St and CSIRO at Castray Esplanade. I’m not so happy about the projecting pools attempting to imitate the Bondi Icebergs. Not a good fit. Thank goodness the Federal casino is not at Sullivans Cove. carrying capacity, its guidance system and other technical issues. Nobody asked the obvious questions: Who would use it, for what purpose and how often? What is its network and how would it interfere with motor vehicle traffic? Who determines its routes, fares and timetables? Public transport accounts for 3.5 per cent of Hobart’s 2.5 billion passenger-km annual transport task. People don’t use public transport because buses cannot meet their busy daily schedules. How would a trackless tram be any different?