HIGH AND DRY

COUNCIL REJECTS 30- METRE APARTMENT COMPLEX BID TO AMEND PLANNING HEIGHTS DEFEATED

PLANS for a controversial 30m apartment complex near a private girls school in Hobart were rejected by the city council on Monday night.

After fierce debate the majority of councillors voted against the $ 36 million Macquarie Street Apartments development, despite officers recommending its approval because it fitted with the planning scheme.

However, council’s Urban Design Advisory panel, which is made up of independent experts, said the building was “completely inappropriate” for the site.

More than 600 objections were lodged in relation to plans for the 40- apartment residential and commercial complex.

The debate then turned to a broader debate over Hobart height limits, with Councillor Bill Harvey attempting to amend the planning scheme.

His bid was eventually lost.

HOBART City Council has rejected a 30m- high apartment complex, amid another fierce debate about building heights.

The $ 36m Macquarie Street Apartments from Developer New Pleasant Investments No. 2 Pty Ltd featured 40 units, a first- floor childcare centre, two ground- floor commercial spaces and basement parking for 45 cars.

The development next to St Michael’s Collegiate school was recommended for approval by council planning officers because it conformed with the planning scheme. However, council’s urban design advisory panel of independent experts, said the building was “completely inappropriate”.

Collegiate was strongly opposed to the development given it would overshadow and look over the school. More than 600 objections were lodged in relation to the development

Council voted 8- 4 for an alternative motion from alderman Jeff Briscoe to refuse the apartments. “I hope council makes a strong statement that this building is out of scale, out of context,” he said.

Alderman Will Coats said he thought the building was a “pretty horrible development” but was reluctant to vote against it, given the likelihood of a successful appeal by the developer.

Alderman Damon Thomas said the development was inappropriate. “This building is objectionable, obtrusive. It’s overpowering and overbearing,” he said.

Alderman Simon Behrakis said the building was within the planning scheme and should be approved. “It looks like we are looking for any excuse to reject this,” he said.

Alderman Marti Zucco said the motion to go against council officers and reject the application was “appalling … If we refuse this tonight, it’s an absolute kick in the pants to our whole team who have worked on this,” he said. “This will be an absolute … waste of ratepayers’ funds to fight this at the tribunal.”

Consideration of the apartments turned into a three- hour discussion about building heights, with councillor Bill Harvey moving for council to adopt a building height limit.

During the discussion, Mr Zucco withdrew a comment that Mr Briscoe had a “smirky little smile”, while Mr Behrakis withdrew a comment that the motion was “sleazy politics”.

The motion was lost in a 6- all vote.