Mural puts height in perspective

THEY are some of Hobart’s up-and-coming architects responsible for the future design of the city skyline and they want to know your opinion.

As the debate rages about building heights and street- scape values, Emerging Architects Tasmania has completed a mural in Elizabeth St depicting some of Hobart’s best known landmarks, including Wrest Point Casino and the Royal Hobart Hospital, alongside a proposed 210m hotel.

Singaporean developer the Fragrance Group’s proposals for high-rise hotel complexes — including applications for a 210m-high hotel in Davey St and a 94m-high hotel in Collins St — have divided the community and tested council planning laws.

The applications are yet to come before the Hobart City Council for consideration.

EAT president Jason Licht said the group was not taking a side in the debate, but wanted what was best for the longterm future of Hobart.

“We’re going to be here for the next 50 years — we’re all for development, but we also want to make sure it supports what is unique and valuable about our brand and Tasmania,” he said. “It’s not as simple as just height, but the mural is a nice, easy introduction into the topic.”

The group is running an anonymous survey asking participants what they think Hobart’s maximum height limit should be, or if there should be one at all, and will publish the results online.

To take part in the survey visit www.surveymonkey.com/ r/heightright.