Why demolish good buildings

IT is alarming to learn of so many proposals for the demolition of (expensive) public buildings which are providing very well the functions for which they were designed and built. This comment refers to the latest chatter about demolishing the CSIRO buildings at the end of Castray Esplanade for the purpose, it appears, of replacing them with what appears to be a very ugly building and a swimming pool! Of all amenities, the very last thing Hobart needs is an outdoor swimming pool about a kilometre away from the Doone Kennedy Aquatic Centre. But that is not really the point, just one of the sillier aspects of the proposal.

What is really concerning is that another disruptive proposition for the demolition of a pleasing and functioning building should be taken seriously, and this for a site located directly adjacent to the ship berth which is directly relevant to the functions of the CSIRO. Haven’t these insensitive vandals had enough with the demolition of 10 Murray St?

Solis failure

MICHAEL Kent’s veiled dig at Graeme Wood’s proposed development at the Spring Bay Mill site is noted. What he fails to mention is the longstanding (14 years) failed attempt to build the Solis golf course/residential/coastal track development. He also fails to mention the environmental vandalism at the site, where Glamorgan Spring Bay Council and others have failed miserably in reparation. One only needs to visit the site to see what a disaster has been allowed to occur. MWCC base this assumption? What traffic count was undertaken? Is this 180,000 vehicle count the basis for the business case? Does it depend on the closure of the pinnacle road? Many unanswered questions. accepted as the prime reason for defeat of the Rudd-Gillard government, and is wonderful only when it is in some other party. Probably, Mr Turnbull won’t rid himself of this turbulent turmoil until after the next election.