Housing plan at former servo

THE site of a well-loved Hobart business could soon be home to a new apartment complex aimed at bringing more people into the city and providing more housing diversity.

A development application has been lodged with the Hobart City Council for 431 Elizabeth St, North Hobart, to build 28 apartments, ranging from one to three bedrooms, plus a commercial tenancy on the ground floor.

The developer is listed as 431 Hobart Pty Ltd, a company with an address in Ulladulla, NSW. The company bought the Elizabeth St property in 2017 from the local Newell family for $1.2 million.

Russell Newell ran one of Hobart’s most beloved businesses, Blue Gum Service Station and Trailer Hire, at the site until February last year when he closed the doors after 32 years.

He established his Blue Gum business at the former Moyes Bakery site in 1986 and while finding it difficult to compete on price, customers loved Blue Gum’s full driveway service.

The trailer business is still operating from the site under new ownership. Co-owner Adam Burgess said the business would look to relocate if and when the apartment complex is approved.

The high-profile site bordered by three roads is located about 500m from the North Hobart restaurant strip.

The planning report describes the proposed building as being “a high-quality, contemporary built form that reflects the evolving nature of the Elizabeth Street corridor.”

“This locality presents an ideal opportunity for development of this nature, which will bring more people and housing diversity into the city,” the ERA Planning and Environment report states.

The plans are advertised for public comment until November 6.