Talking Point: The conversation we have to have

RON CHRISTIE: Visitor influx took us unawares and now people must have their say

SECRET’S OUT: A typically bustling Salamanca Market. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

THERE are no winners or losers in the tourism debate. It is a conversation that is difficult but necessary.

If we do not have the conversation, the biggest loser will be our city, our community. If putting the brakes on gets a reaction from government and industry cheerleaders, then I accept my clumsy comments. Perhaps I say what many think. Four out of five Tasmanians now believe mass tourism can impact on growth and lifestyle.

Tourism can be good for the economy but as tourism pioneer Simon Currant said, bring in tourists that support our brand. That brand is our heritage, clean natural resources and produce and an amazing lifestyle. It’s not a cruise ship arriving every second day or promoting the place we live as the hottest place on earth. Mass tourism is not a problem of the future, it has started slowly chewing into the fabric of our community like an undiagnosed cancer.

In Hobart, 22 hotel- accommodation sites are being constructed or are on the drawing board, many with minimal or no car parking. Our planning scheme does not require parking for hotels in the CBD. In 214 years since settlement on Hunter Island, the construction rate of tourism accommodation is unprecedented. This scale has not been seen by any capital in Australia. It is important we understand the complexity and magnitude.

COMPLETED — Macq 0 1 in Hunter St, Ibis, Macquarie St.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION — Crown in Liverpool St, Hyatt in the bus mall, Vibe in Argyle St, Marriott in Parliament Square, 50 apartments in Salamanca, 84 apartments in Elizabeth St.

PROPOSED developments pending submission and approval — four Fragrance buildings, Davey St, Collins St, Elizabeth St and Sandy Bay Rd Conservatorium of Music, and an apartment block close by. Mainland interest in Liverpool St’s Odeon site, two in Collins St — one rumoured to be a capsule hotel, and important question marks over Treasury Buildings and CSIRO. Finally, a proposal for a floating hotel near the Regatta Grounds. In total, 19 sites with more than 3000 beds and minimal if no car parking. Add the University of Tasmania purchases, the Downtowner Hotel and Red Cross in Melville St and its student accommodation across the road and 1100 students will come into the city, bringing the bed count to over 4000.

With more rental cars, the new SkyBus, more planes and taxis, unmarked minibuses and a 16 per cent increase in international visitors, we are told this is not contributing to our traffic congestion. These hotels and services are designed to accommodate the masses. Our community will be pushed out. Greater Hobart (50,000) has a similar population to Venice (55,000) where 28 million tourists arrive annually, compared to Hobart’s 1.27 million.

The Viennese protest constantly — the signs say to cruise ship visitors “Welcome: Your luxury day — my day of misery”. This community is being pushed from its famous city to accommodate tourists in more cafes, restaurants, Airbnbs and hotels.

Closer to home our neighbours on Bruny Island are asking, are the new ferries to accommodate us or the mass influx of tourists? I am no Saul Eslake, Bernard Salt or Lisa Denny, however I do respect their opinion and when I read their figures on tourism growth, ageing population and the economy, alarm bells ring. When large groups arrive it puts pressure on our resources, not just the sites but on water, power, housing and food. The result will be price increases to our community while travellers benefit from cheap travel and accommodation. Our community and our children deserve better. That is why it is so important to have this discussion now. Tasmania’s population growth at 0.64 per cent and Hobart’s at over 1 per cent is due to migration rather than natural increase. In other words, taxpayers are diminishing. This type of growth is not sustainable and will result in aged care being a major problem together with increasing social and economic issues. It’s happening now. It has been suggested we are faced with the problems because of poor planning. I do not defend, nor would I, our aldermanic forefathers for their vision or lack of it. I have read many planning documents, one the City of Hobart Plan 1945 where it stated no building should be higher than the T&G Building, seven storeys. The Theatre Royal, Australia’s oldest working theatre, was earmarked in the 1950s for demolition to make way for a transport hub.

We have some of the best sustainable planners in Australia who listen to the Jan Gehls of this world, but even the best planners cannot plan for growth when interrupted by an unexpected influx of mass tourism infrastructure approved by your council. Our planners cannot amend the city. They plan for local growth maximising the benefits while limiting negative impact on lifestyle. This includes tourism infrastructure, smart parking services, information centres, pathways and streetscapes — we deal with what local government is expected to do. The State Government, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry or tourism industry did not come knocking at our door saying, “Look out, here come the tourists and we’re here to help”. They have a major responsibility to our city.

Hold on, they scream. Why am I, an elected member of local government, decrying the stimulus of economic recovery? It’s because elected members and developers, particularly national and international developers, benefit from growth. We have something to sell at election time while a developer’s money heads out of town. We politicians come and go leaving behind the crises we created, rather than saying let’s find a sustainable balance.

When we hear the economy is booming, housing prices up 12.7 per cent, 1.5 million tourists flying to our inadequate airport in the next 12-18 months and over 60 cruise ships this summer, you begin to understand why four out of five Tasmanians are concerned. Remember last summer? There were complaints about bunker fuel, TasPorts closed the waterfront causing traffic problems along Morrison St to Salamanca. Do they really contribute? Seven years ago I was an advocate. As deputy lord mayor I welcomed passengers and crew, conducting free tours, proudly showing off our magnificent Town Hall. They left with the knowledge of our history, vowing to spread the word and return.

I sat next to an elderly gentleman at a luncheon who mentioned he was thinking of downsizing his home. Four years ago it was worth $475,000, today $600,000. The problem was he was going to have to pay that much to downsize. How often do we hear this? Long may this debate continue. It is so vitally important all of us participate in consultation on our Transport Strategy and Community Vision Strategy. These are the turning points. We have the opportunity to be a part of this history. Tell us, the people you elect, what you want for your community. Write to this newspaper, be vocal.

Go to the council website, attend the community forums. For years we have been told we live at the end of the Earth, now the world’s best kept secret is out, and tourists like ants have found us and the nectar of our city and lifestyle, and they want it.

Alderman Ron Christie is Lord Mayor of Hobart.