Premier Will Hodgman expresses misgivings about the Fragrance Group’s Hobart skyscraper proposals
PREMIER Will Hodgman says he personally has “serious reservations” about the Fragrance Group’s Hobart skyscraper proposal.
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PREMIER Will Hodgman says he personally has “serious reservations” about the Fragrance Group’s largest skyscraper proposal for Hobart.
Mr Hodgman has become the latest high-profile Tasmanian to express concerns about the Singaporean developer’s plan to build two skyscrapers in the Hobart CBD — a 120m hotel tower on Davey St and an 83m tower in Collins St.
Speaking on ABC local radio, Mr Hodgman said while he welcomed the company’s interest in the state, he did not think the 120m tower proposed for the Hobart CBD was the right fit.
“Personally I have serious reservations. I think we live in one of the most picturesque, idyllic, capital cities in the country ... I think we need to do everything we can to protect the quality of not only the aesthetic (of) our capital city but also the amenity,” Mr Hodgman said.
“I think it’s a superb-looking building but more suited to other cities, where those things are a dime a dozen.
“It would be one of a kind in Tasmania, it would dominate a landscape, a visage across to Sullivans Cove to beautiful kunanyi/Mt Wellington, in a way that would have a serious impact.”
However, Mr Hodgman said the fact that skyscrapers were being seriously proposed was a welcome sign of Tasmania’s economic revival and booming tourism sector.
MORE: TASSIE ECONOMY ‘QUIETLY KICKING GOALS’
“I think it’s a remarkable sign of the times that concepts such as these are being seriously canvassed. You wouldn't have thought it possible only a few years ago,” he said.
Mr Hodgman said despite his personal views, it was up to the Hobart City Council to assess the Fragrance proposals via the proper planning process.
Earlier this year, Fragrance lodged development applications with the council for the hotels in Davey St and Collins St — worth a combined $230 million.
MORE: FRAGRANCE LODGES NEW HOTEL PLANS
The group’s first Hobart hotel — a $35 million building on Macquarie St — opened earlier this month, operated by the Ibis Hotels group.
MORE: HOBART’S NEWEST HOTEL OPENS
Mr Hodgman said the Ibis hotel would be “a fantastic addition” to Hobart.
Last month, the company also lodged an application for mixed-use hotel development in Elizabeth St between North Hobart and the CBD.
MORE: FRESH FRAGRANCE PLAN FOR MIDTOWN
Opposition to the two skyscrapers has been fierce, with senior Tasmanian tourism figures, revered author Richard Flanagan, actor Essie Davis among those expressing concerns.
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