Bush reserve hotel backed
A CONTENTIOUS project proposed for a prime location on Hobart’s eastern shore has been recommended for approval.
The proposal for Rosny Hill by Hunter Developments, led by architect Robert Morris-Nunn, would feature a 60-room visitor accommodation complex, two restaurants, a cafe and a public viewing deck with new public walking trails.
Hunter Developments was awarded preferred developer status for development on the crown reserve land by the council in 2015.
In response to community concerns, the original concept has been reduced in scale, the number of rooms almost halved and the proposal for a conference centre abandoned.
The development application to be voted on by aldermen at a special meeting on Wednesday night received 541 representations from the community, mostly objecting to the proposal on a range of grounds, including issues such as the impact on vegetation and fauna, traffic, noise and the use of public land for private development.
A report by the council’s city planning manager Ross Lovell found the proposal would “conserve and enhance the natural and cultural values of the site through annual works programs.”
“The proposal is designed to ensure the reserve continues to allow full public access to, over and around the development... while providing a mechanism to better manage ecological and cultural assets,” the report said.
“As such it does not diminish public access to the reserve, but enhances it.
“The notion of privatisation of the reserve is possibly disingenuous when what is actually proposed is a public/private partnership.”
The report also says 749 vehicles a day would access the area, almost a fourfold increase for Rosny Hill Road.
Prof Morris-Nunn said he was heartened by the council officer’s recommendation.
Rosny Hill Friends Network president Beth Rees said she was not surprised, but deeply saddened by the recommendation.
“We still think there are a lot of flaws mostly around privatisation of public land, the size of the development and the impact on natural values,” she said, adding the increased traffic was also a problem.