Aldermen hit back at email barrage from Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr

Hobart aldermen have spoken out about being bombarded with emails from one individual calling on them to introduce an absolute maximum height limit for the city.

Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

HOBART aldermen have spoken out about being bombarded with emails from one individual calling on them to introduce an absolute maximum height limit for the city.

Several aldermen said they had received at least a dozen emails from Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr saying some members had broken their election promise.

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Ald Marti Zucco said his colleagues were being harassed and intimidated when the council hadn’t yet made a decision on whether to impose a height limit or not.

He said the only decision made by council was to seek further advice on the social, economic and environmental impact of 45m, 60m and 75m height limits.

Ald Zucco said elected members didn’t deserve to be constantly badgered and he had asked Mr Corr to stop.

“Elected members are simply endeavouring to perform the role they were elected to do and [are] seeking further information,” he said.

HIGH PRAISE FOR CITY HEIGHT LIMITS REPORT

COUNCIL REJECTS A 45M CBD HEIGHT LIMIT

Mr Corr told the Mercury he had only sent the emails to three elected members he believed had broken their election promise to vote for setting a maximum building height limit in the planning scheme.

He said he copied the other aldermen and councillors into the emails for their information.

“We have asked the elected members why they reneged on their election commitment, it’s a very fair question,” Mr Corr said.

He said council had two opportunities, in December and earlier this month, to set a height limit.

He said the reason he continually emailed members was to get the recommendations in the Leigh Wooley report back into the chamber to be debated.

PETITION DEMANDS A POLL ON BUILDING HEIGHTS

Council general manager Nick Heath has also started to engage with the Tasmanian Electoral Commission to conduct an elector poll initiated by a Hobart Not Highrise petition.

It’s estimated the poll could cost ratepayers more than $200,000. The poll needs to be held within 60 days of May 15.