HOBART NEWS MAINLAND CONTENDER FOR GLENORCHY POOL CONTRACT At a time when shopping local is being shouted from the rooftops, the Glenorchy City Council has recommended a mainland option as the leading contender for the Glenorchy Pool contract. The council have been in contract negotiations with Victorianbased Belgravia Leisure, with the contract to be officially awarded any day now. The incumbent, YMCA Hobart, had run the pool complex for the past ten years.
DEVELOPMENT SCENE HOTTING UP IN HOBART In the past few weeks a few large development applications have been submitted to various local councils for consideration, while other decisions have been deferred. The Hobart City Council has resolved to defer a decision on a planning application for the Tasman Private Hospital at New Town. The application had been recommended for refusal based on non-compliance with the planning scheme, in particular with regard to the proposed height and scale of the development, and the unreasonable impact it would likely impose on the surrounding residential area. An application from developers Tellyros Klonis Unit Trust to develop the site at 63 Davey Street is currently with the HCC for consideration. The application is to build 51 apartments - a mix of residential apartments and student accommodation - over ten levels. The site is flanked 10
by two heritage places listed on the Tasmanian Heritage register. With deep excavation required to create the basement space and foundations, those buildings have the potential to be adversely affected. As part of the application a historical report was prepared. It mentions the various iterations of buildings that have been on the site over the years, dating back to the early 1800’s. In the report, it states that “remains associated with the residence and domestic occupation are also considered to be of high archaeological potential due to their earliness and long-use period (some 140+ years) and have the potential to demonstrate 19th century domestic life in the area (and wider Tasmania for that matter).” Let’s hope this is taken into consideration during the planning process and a suitable common ground can be established between the need for more inner city housing and the preservation of valuable historic material.
HARD TASSIE BORDER FOR THE WIN! Just after Premier Peter Gutwein announced the border will remain closed until at least 1 December, we ran a reader poll which came back with resounding support for the move. The poll showed that 80% of respondents supported keeping the border closed with 20% recording they aren’t happy with the move. WHERE WILL YOU SPEND YOUR HUNDRED? With news of the border closure until at least 1 December, the Premier also recently announced a new voucher initiative to boost midweek tourism numbers. Tasmanians are now not only being urged to “make themselves at home” and travel throughout the state, we’re being bankrolled $100 each for accommodation and $50 toward an experience. And there’s even more, up to $550, for families. If you’ve always wanted to jump on a tour, or see an historic site, or tick a
town off your list, then now’s the time. Now, to navigate midweek leave applications and playing truant from school with your kids. Head to www. makeyourselfathome.com.au to claim your voucher. HCC CUTS WASTE WEEKENDS As a consequence of Covid-19 budget cuts the Hobart City Council has cancelled upcoming free entry weekends to the McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre. No more carting off your household waste for free, but a good reminder to reduce, reuse and recycle what you can. DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE STEAMS AHEAD IN GLENORCHY Last issue we discussed the design and usage decisions that could go into making the Derwent Entertainment Centre and Wilkinsons Point a proper asset for Tasmania. But it’s not the only project that’s happening in the Glenorchy region right now. Mayor Kristie Johnston shared with us, “We have about a $1.3 billion pipeline of private investment that’s happening in our city at the moment - the Showgrounds, Wilkinsons Point, MONA, Windemere Bay, Saint Virgil’s high school. It’s creating jobs for our local community, which is fantastic.” Glenorchy as a city has the opportunity to become an excellent city hub. “Importantly we need those different developments to be connected because it’s all about curating that visitor experience and experience for our residents. The light rail project will ensure we have
