Contentious $50M hospital call deferred as coordinator-General John Perry writes to HCC to support development

Despite the size, bulk and height of a proposed Hobart hospital, an alderman has said the public will find a lot to criticise in the rejection of a $50 million hospital, as the council deferred the planning decision.

• Final countdown to decision on contentious $55M Tasman Private Hospital proposal
• Residents speak out against second application for $55m Tasman Private Hospital in New Town

AN “unprecedented” move by a senior public servant raises questions about how much influence a private company has over the government, says the Deputy Lord Mayor.

It has been revealed the Coordinator-General John Perry wrote to the Hobart City Council general manager and elected members earlier this month to give his support for the application for a private hospital in New Town.

Nexus Hospitals and Contact Group want to build the $55m Tasman Private Hospital at the site of the former WIN TV studios on New Town Rd.

Artist’s impressions of the Nexus hospital development in New Town Rd.

3D diagrams produced by the Hobart City Council of the proposed Tasman Private Hospital

Councillors at a meeting moved to defer the application approval and seek an extension with the applicant.

The deferral was carried with seven votes in favour and five against.

Alderman Jeff Briscoesaid he had concerns over the aspect, bulk and height of the project but said the applicant and residents deserved an opportunity to reach a compromise.

“In this day and age to reject a $50 million project in the health industry to me the general public will find a lot of criticise on it,” he said.

Alderman Simon Behrakis said the council should seek opportunities rather than reasons to reject.

Planning committee chair and Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet said the application was recommended refusal because the proposed building height was not compatible with the scale of nearby buildings and did not contribute positively to the streetscape.

She said the letter from Mr Perry was “unprecedented.”

“As the planning authority we are bound by the legislation to make decisions – for the Coordinator-General to make comments like this is out of the ordinary,” she said.

“It is suggesting we should be supporting this application and people can lobby us and that happens, but it is a very strange thing for an appointee of the crown to do this.

“It’s not saying you must – he doesn’t have the power to do that.

“[The letter] says ‘Nexus Hospitals has a strong record as a health care provider with 15 hospitals around Australia’ and it begs the question how much influence is this private organisation having over the Coordinator-General?”

Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet, right, says the move by the Coordinator-General was unprecedented. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Mr Perry’s letter to elected members said the developers had “spent considerable time and resources to accommodate the concerns of local residents in this second DA.”

“Tasmania not only needs development to drive our economic recovery from COVID-19, but it needs this type of development to help build our healthcare capacity to provide backup to and free up capacity in public hospitals,” Mr Perry wrote.

“This will help enable more rapid response to any public health crisis such as the current pandemic.

Coordinator-General John Perry wrote to the HCC elected members to give his support to the Tasman Private Hospital development.

A spokesman said it was the Coordinator-General’s job to attract and facilitate investment in the state.

“He is expected to support projects that will deliver real benefits for the economy and community,” the spokesman said.

“It’s still a decision for council and the Coordinator-General is not involved in council’s decision making processes.

“The letter merely outlined the benefits and considerations of the project, especially in the current economic climate.”