Council committee rejects hospital

A $55M private hospital development proposed for New Town has failed to win over the Hobart City Council’s planning committee.

Joint proponents Nexus Hospitals and Contact Group want to build a boutique shortstay hospital at the former WIN TV studios.

The committee voted 5-1 in favour of the council planning officers’ recommendation the application be refused.

The committee in October had voted to defer the application for the proposed Tasman Private Hospital to give the applicants time to consider further consultation with council staff and the community for a potential redesign.

Speaking ahead of the committee last night, orthopaedic surgeon Josh Petterwood underlined the need for more medical services north of Hobart.

New Town resident Linda Pearn, also speaking ahead of the agenda item, said she moved to the area because of the amenities and services.

The health professional said the development raised concerns about traffic flow, parking and aspects about soil contamination.

The council received 161 public representations on the application, of which 68 were against and 93 supported the development.

The council’s Urban Design Advisory Panel found overall the proposal failed to show a building of the proposed floor area, height and bulk “can positively contribute to the streetscape, be compatible with scale of nearby buildings and not result in unreasonable impact on residential amenity.”