Hobart City Council knocks back ‘pretty horrible’, ‘obtrusive, overpowering and overbearing’ apartments development

Hobart City Council has voted on a controversial apartment proposal in Macquarie St – but not before a heated debate on building heights involving a series of personal slurs.

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HOBART City Council has rejected a controversial 30m-high apartment complex, amid another fierce debate about building heights.

The $36 million Macquarie St Apartments, from developer New Pleasant Investments No. 2 Pty Ltd, featured 40 units, a first-floor childcare centre, two ground-floor commercial spaces and basement parking for 45 cars.

The development, next to St Michael’s Collegiate school, was recommended for approval by Council planning officers because it conformed with the planning scheme.

However Council’s Urban Design Advisory panel, which is made up of independent experts, said the building was “completely inappropriate” for the site.

An artist’s impression of the Macquarie Street Apartments proposal. Picture: SUPPLIED

Collegiate was strongly opposed to the development given it would significantly overshadow and overlook the school.

More than 600 objections were lodged in relation to the development.

Council voted 8-4 for an alternative motion from Alderman Jeff Briscoe to refuse the apartments.

“I hope Council makes a strong statement that this building is out of scale, out of context,” Ald Briscoe said.

Alderman Will Coats said while he thought the building was a “pretty horrible development”, he was reluctant to vote against it given the likelihood of a successful appeal by the developer.

Alderman Damon Thomas said the development was inappropriate for the site.

“This building is objectionable, obtrusive, it’s overpowering and overbearing,” Ald Thomas said.

An artist’s impression of the Macquarie Street Apartments proposal. Picture: SUPPLIED

Alderman Simon Behrakis said the building was within the planning scheme and should be approved.

“It looks like we are looking for any excuse to reject this,” Ald Behrakis said.

Alderman Marti Zucco said the motion to go against Council officers and reject the application was “appalling”.

“If we refuse this tonight it’s an absolute kick in the pants to our whole team who have worked on this,” Ald Zucco said.

“This will be an absolute … waste of ratepayers’ funds to fight this at the tribunal.”

Consideration of the apartments turned into a three-hour discussion about building heights, with Councillor Bill Harvey moving for Council to adopt a building height limit for the city.

During the discussion Ald Zucco withdrew a comment that Ald Briscoe had a “smirky little smile”, while Ald Behrakis withdrew a comment that the motion was “sleazy politics”.

The motion was lost in a 6-all vote.