Clarence City Council’s recent Aboriginal flag vote caused public anger

Clarence City Council will again discuss the Aboriginal flag, while Hobart will consider apartments proposed for the mall.

• Plans lodged to convert Kodak House into residential apartments
• A field on mini Aboriginal flags appears outside Clarence Council

THE Aboriginal flag could soon be flying outside the Clarence City Council chambers with a second vote planned in the wake of a public backlash.

Last month council angered the Aboriginal community and the wider community after voting not to fly the flag

A motion from Greens Alderman Beth Warren for council to fly the Aboriginal flag on one of its flagpoles from NAIDOC week onwards was lost in a 6-6 tied vote.

A field of Aboriginal flags was recently placed on the lawns of the council chambers in Rosny in protest over the decision.

Aboriginal flags at Clarence City Council chambers. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

In response to public anger Mayor Doug Chipman said he was confident council would approve raising the flag during a second debate.

Ald Warren has submitted a new motion on the flag to be debated at Monday’s council meeting, proposing it be flown at the council chambers from November 16 onwards.

“At the beginning of every Council meeting we pay our respects to the traditional owners.

Flying the flag is one way we can acknowledge the fact that Aboriginal people have been

on this land for over 60,000 years and are one of the oldest continuing cultures in the world.

By doing so we recognise the Aboriginal history and culture of our municipality, which is

one that we should celebrate and be proud of,” the motion says.

The council currently flies the Tasmanian, Australian and Clarence City flags, with a fourth flagpole unused for much of the year.

In an opinion piece for the Mercury Alderman Brendan Blomeley labelled Ald Warren’s original motion “divisive politics”, arguing that Council always intended to fly the flag as part of a wider reconciliation action plan.

Also on Monday night Hobart City Council’s planning committee has been advised to refuse an application for an apartment development in the Elizabeth St mall.

The proposed development of the old Kodak building in Elizabeth St Mall, Hobart CBD will be discussed by council.

Giameos Constructions and Developments wants to turn the upper levels of the Kodak House building into residential apartments.

The proposal includes retaining the ground floor for commercial use and converting the upper levels from vacant commercial tenancies to five residential apartments as well as a top floor apartment extension.

The building is listed as a heritage place on the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme.

Planning officers recommended the application be refused because it would result in the loss of significant heritage values of the 1920s building, including the Kodak House signage and other architectural details.