Hobart News

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 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.

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.

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

good accessibility between, and connections between, those many major projects that we have on the go at the moment,” Kristie shared. And the proposed new Bridgewater Bridge is an important part of the puzzle. “I understand that Brighton and Derwent Valley are growing rapidly and it would seem to me to make sense that there was rail provision across whatever went across the bridge, across the river, in the future,” Kristie said. “For our city though, passenger rail is a given - that’s my commitment from all forms of political parties, from a number of years, that it needs to happen. It’s incredibly important.”

MAJOR PROJECTS BILL PASSES IN THE LOWER HOUSE

The Lower House passed the Major Projects Bill (MPB) a few weeks back with the support of the Liberal and Labor Parties, and Independent Madeleine Ogilvie. The Greens voted against the Bill. 28 amendments were introduced and 8 accepted. But two amendments, to introduce an appeals process and to prevent any proponent engaging with the Major Projects process where they have made a political donation in the previous three years didn’t get up. So right now it seems you can have a minimum of three people on the committee, essentially appointed by the Government (Tas Planning Commissioners are chosen by the Minister and appointed by the Governor), with a Minister holding power to declare a project a ‘major project’, with no appeal process, a proponent who may have donated money to the political party in the three years prior, with a broad scope of what constitutes a major project. Labor has said they’ll continue to scrutinise the Bill as it moves through the Legislative Council, and continue to focus on appeal rights and transparency. Heaven help any small community that stands in the way of any project deemed ‘major’ by the Government.

IS DAN MURPHY HEADING TO THE SUNNY SIDE?

Bubbles of a different kind might be flowing on the site that was previously Inflatable World at Percy Street Bellerive. Key Capital currently own the site and Dan Murphy’s is said to be looking into the viability of opening there. But right now, they’re keeping ‘Mumm’ about it. “Dan Murphy’s is always looking for new potential sites across the country where we can bring our unique concept to life. However, apart from our stores in Launceston and New Town, Dan Murphy’s is yet to commit to any other site in Tasmania,” said a Dan Murphy’s spokesperson. “As we haven’t committed to any sites, we don’t have any plans to share yet.”

INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO DOE RESPONSES TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE WELCOMED

The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Leanne McLean, has welcomed Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff’s recent establishment of an independent inquiry into the Department of Education’s responses to child sexual abuse. “Every child has the right to be protected from violence, mistreatment and abuse, including sexual abuse,” Ms McLean said. “This is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed to children by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As signatories to that convention, we as a society have undertaken to uphold this right for all the children and young people of Tasmania.” Ms McLean said the establishment of this inquiry is also a timely reminder for all Tasmanian government departments and other organisations providing services to children. “Child safety and wellbeing must be embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture at every level to ensure organisations and services are indeed child safe. While I applaud the Government’s actions in undertaking this review, Tasmania must also prioritise the development of a comprehensive child-safe legislative framework.”

WHAT DOES FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTUALLY MEAN?

You might have read journalists referencing “freedom of information” as a way of accessing information for stories. Well what is it and how does it work? The Right to Information Act 2009 came into effect on 1 July 2010 and provides for public access to information held by government bodies. There are two ways to obtain information under the act - the first is to head to the website of the Tasmanian government department you’re interested in and check their disclosure log. If the information you’re after isn’t there, you can make an application as a private individual for “assessed disclosure” of the information. The government will find the information, assess if you can read it, and then make a decision to disclose it or not. You need to apply in writing and in some cases there’s a small fee. If you’re having trouble with your application or need further information you can call Service Tasmania on 1300 13 55 13.

CITIZEN JOURNOS WE WANT YOU!

If you’ve seen something in your local area that doesn’t seem right, a decision by the local or state government or some thing that’s a bit unfair, tell us about it. Our Citizen Journos page will be where we can shine a light on issues that might not normally get a run. We want Citizen Journos to be a no-BS, no PR spin area - we’re an independent media organisation and don’t represent vested interests. So if you’ve got a hot tip or a story that needs telling, email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au with the subject “Citizen Journos”. All information is treated confidentially.

Award-winning actress, producer and mother, Marta Dusseldorp, partners with Audi Centre Hobart to drive the arts in Tasmania and share our stories.

Marta is known for starring in A Place to Call Home and Janet King, and more recently for her roles in Foxtel’s Wentworth, and Stateless on ABC. She also holds a wealth of experience on stage, having worked as a member of the Sydney Theatre Company’s Actors Company, with the Melbourne Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre and Queensland Theatre.

Almost two years ago, Marta, her husband Ben Winspear, and their two daughters made the move to Hobart. Since then, their love for the island has flourished.

Establishing themselves in the Tasmanian community, Marta and Ben founded Archipelago Productions; a company with a development slate that spans feature film, television, and works for stage and festivals. Based in Hobart, it aims to create work locally in collaboration with interstate and international partners to promote Tasmania as a place in which to risk, innovate and inspire.

Archipelago Productions has established strong partnerships with Tasmanian companies. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it has continued to nurture those relationships. For Marta and Ben, mentoring and encouraging emerging Tasmanian artists is also essential to the future of sharing Tasmanian stories.

“Tasmania is a destination for many, but it is also a home for some. We hope to join the two together by bringing the world to us, and our work to the world. Ben, having grown up here and feeling compelled to return, understands the unique opportunities in Tasmania that allow local creatives to explore projects, and for the state to be a viable and exciting place to create new work and draw new audiences.”

As an Audi Centre Hobart ambassador, Marta is thrilled to be nurturing a new collaboration that parallels Archipelago Production’s aesthetics for excellence and innovation.

“It is through these qualities that Archipelago sees the arts flourishing. Excellence is what we strive for, and we will continue to be innovative in our choice of projects and developments of new Tasmanian works. With the ever-present challenges ahead, it is only with community relationships and collaborations that it will be possible to fulfil our hopes of developing local stories with local artists, celebrating what is so unique about Tasmania.”

THUMBS UP

We’re on the downward slide of 2020 now, only a few months to go until we can say see ya later ’twenny twenny”, you were a shocker.

TMAG has released it’s Super Spring Holiday Program, on from Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 October. The exciting program of wild activities will take kids from the bush to Antarctica.

Thank you to Luke Brokensha for mobilising his friends and local residents recently to host two rubbish clean ups along the Hobart Rivulet after heavy rains.

Melbourne’s Kingswood College is dumping formal uniforms for active wear to reflect what today’s kids are comfy in. Public schools have led the way, offering comfortable uniform options to mix and match for years.

Ahead for Business helps small business owners find mental health resources for themselves or their staff. www.aheadforbusiness.org.au

THUMBS DOWN

Still can’t hit the d-floor, unless it’s your bridal waltz.

Rio Tinto blowing up 46,000 year old caves. Unbelievably no one has lost their job over it. Can you imagine if they blew up Stonehenge by “accident”?

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

After months of “unprecedented times” can we please start enjoying some precedented times?

HERE’S A THOUGHT…

Finger lickin’ good is no longer Covid-safe. KFC recently announced they are dropping their famous tagline.

MISSION AUSTRALIA EXPANDS YOUTH SERVICES

Mission Australia’s youth outreach service, Youthbeat, is expanding to increase the charity’s level of support for at-risk young people. Regularly connecting with young people across Glenorchy, Derwent Valley, Clarendon Vale and Rokeby, the Youthbeat team are expanding to Blackmans Bay, Lauderdale, Cremorne, South Arm, Dodges Ferry and Sorell. Youthbeat vans operate six days a week with professional youth workers trained to help young people with things like anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse, and link them to further support, services and social networks. Youthbeat offers interactive activities based on the needs and interests of the young people, supporting them towards positive futures.

LARGE DARKLAB ARTWORK ON ITS WAY FOR HUON VALLEY NEXT YEAR

DarkLab has announced a major new permanent artwork as part of Project X, to be positioned at Ida Bay. Transformer, a new site-specific commission by American arctic Doug Aitken, is a pavilion with a reflective interior, creating a lens consisting of angles and facets, a kaleidoscope that interacts with the landscape over the seasons. DarkLab Creative Director Leigh Carmichael said, “We are fortunate that artist Doug Aitken accepted an invitation to visit Tasmania late last year and designed the new work after identifying a site at Ida Bay. Our aim is to lodge a development application with the Huon Valley Council later this year, and pending approvals we plan to open in December 2021.” Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders said, “After the loss of tourism in our region for two seasons, we welcome with open arms Doug Aitken, DarkLab and Mona to the Huon Valley. We know that one-of-akind ‘hero’ tourism experiences not only encourage visitors to stay longer but more businesses invest.”

THE PUNTERS ARE LAUGHING AGAIN AT JOKERS COMEDY CLUB

Are you ready for a good laugh? Jokers Comedy Club has just completed their first mini season and are back into it again with the second round of the Jokers Testing Centre. The laughs are delivered by six different comedians from 7.30pm Wednesdays, 23 and 30 September, 7 and 14 October. Seating is limited and bookings are essential. Tickets are $17.50 (including booking fee). www.jokerscomedy.com.au

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We know that Hobart is the best place in the world to live and work – just don’t tell our Launceston office.

We also know being in the world’s best city doesn’t guarantee that life is always straightforward. Simmons Wolfhagen Lawyers is a team of practically minded legal professionals who can help you navigate through life’s more perplexing times. As a full-service legal firm, we have the knowledge and expertise (with a work ethic to boot) that helps ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients.

175 years and counting. We’re here for the long haul.

Hobart Office: Phone 03 6226 1200 Email contact@simwolf.com.au Level 4, 99 Bathurst Street, Hobart 7000 www.simwolf.com.au