Macquarie Point access road application given tick of approval by Hobart City Council

Following concerns from the Glenorchy’s mayor about the overdevelopment and public transport limitations at the contentious development, the Hobart City Council has voted as to whether it will go ahead>>

FOLLOWING concerns from the Glenorchy City Council over the development of an access road at Macquarie Point impinging on a public transport corridor, the Hobart City Council has voted unanimously for the project to go ahead.

This comes as Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston met with members of the Hobart City Council in a “very unusual briefing” prior to Monday’s council meeting to discuss her concerns with the application.

Ald Johnston told the Mercury the proposed road development would prevent the rail corridor from continuing through Macquarie Point to access the CBD.

However, an amendment was moved by the Hobart City Council to ensure a condition would be included requiring the corridor be retained.

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

MPDC chief executive Mary Massina said comments made by Cr Johnston were incorrect.

“The comments made by the Glenorchy Mayor are factually incorrect — the proposed road does not infringe or impact on the public transport corridor easement set aside by the Government at the Mac Point site,’’ she said.

Plans provided by Macquarie Point Development Corporation showing plans for an access road to the site. Picture: SUPPLIED.

“The Government has been clear that the proposed public transit corridor as well as the easement through the North of the site will be preserved.

“The Corporation has been working closely with the Hobart City Council officers and the full council over the last two years to put in place the planning rules which support the Tasmanian Government’s development reset of the site as envisaged by Mona.”

Mary Messina CEO Macquarie Point Development Corporation with Matt Ransley manager Synergy on site at Mac Point. Successful appointment of a contractor to begin remedial works at the site. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Ms Massina said amendments to the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme 1997 related to Macquarie Point had been approved by council and the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

“Both sets of approvals encompassed the acknowledgment of an easement of 24 metres allocated for a transport corridor and the provision of the public road infrastructure, of which the road and pedestrian provision will take up only 10 metres,’’ she said.

“The Northern Suburbs Mass Transit Study, which is currently being developed through the Department of State Growth, will contribute to the Corporation’s sustainable transit policy and plan.”

Maquarie Point Development Corporation. PICTURE CHRIS KIDD

Prior to the meeting Northern Suburbs Rail Action Group president Michael Hangan joined Ald Johnston’s call for the HCC to reject the application.

“The MPDC are wilfully disregarding the strategic importance of the northern suburbs rail corridor and they (MPDC) seem to care little about the firm commitments in the Hobart City Deal for reactivating the northern suburbs rail corridor for public transport and the State Government’s promise to protect the rail corridor,’’ he said.

“The MPDC claims to be protecting a ‘transit corridor’, however the proposed dead-end road would make it near impossible for passenger rail to go through the site cutting off the northern suburbs to the Hobart CBD.”

HCC Alderman Simon Behrakis questioned Ald Johnston’s statements, claiming the council planning officer’s report contradicted her assertions.

Ald Behrakis said the application was compliant with the planning scheme and did not impede any future rail project from accessing the area.

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“This is in addition to comments made by the engineers and independent planning reports that reinforce the recommendation of the Council planning officers,’’ she said.

Federal member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said the community would be concerned at the “argy-bargy” over whether the road would prevent construction of a light rail system.

“Time and time again the Tasmanian Government and the Corporation have both promised to maintain a corridor for rail,’’ she said.

“But reports have thrown this commitment into question. In any case there must be no impediments laid down to the creation of a light rail system which will reduce traffic congestion, lower the cost of living, help clean up the environment and link communities.”

Mr Wilkie urged all parties to commit to the light rail system, including a guarantee to maintain a corridor for tracks through Macquarie Point.