kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car protesters concerned over Pinnacle Rd closure

A packed public meeting at City Hall on Tuesday night to debate building heights and the cable car has given momentum to a petition to initiate an elector poll. WATCH THE PUBLIC MEETING REPLAYS

AN ELECTOR poll will likely be held in the next three months to see if Hobartians want a cap on building heights in the CBD.

A petition was launched yesterday to acquire the 1000 signatures required to initiate the poll.

The poll would cost ratepayers about $150,000.

The push for an elector poll comes after a packed public meeting at City Hall on Tuesday night to debate building heights and the cable car.

Concerns were raised over who would have final say if there was a request from the cable car proponent to close Pinnacle Rd.

Hobart Alderman Jeff Briscoe said he was surprised by the revelation that the State Government would have the power to shut the road up the mountain.

“I imagine it would be a very controversial move and highly unlikely,” he said.

“I learnt plenty of things at the meeting and that was one of them.”

Mount Wellington Cableway Company has previously said under its proposal, Pinnacle Rd would remain open and free.

The other hot-button topic discussed was building heights and concern about Hobart’s heritage and unique character being eroded by council’s ability to approve tall buildings in the continued absence of a maximum buildings height limit.

Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr said its proposed question to electors would be: “Do you agree that council should adopt the professional planning staff’s full recommendations regarding heritage buildings, view lines, streetscapes and absolute maximum building heights as recommended, or lower as council might decide?”

“We want a cap, that is the key for us,” he said.

An elector poll has been deemed a waste of money by Aldermen Damon Thomas and Marti Zucco.

But Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet and Ald Briscoe disagreed.

“How can it be a waste of ratepayers money when it’s legislated and a council obligation,” Cr Burnet said.

Ald Briscoe echoed those sentiments.

“We would all be concerned about the costs but it is a method available to the people,” he said.

“If they feel their elected representatives are not listening to them and they can get 1000 signatures — good on them.”

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS:

MURES’ TOP 3 TIPS FOR COOKING FISH

DOGFIGHT PENDING OVER RACETRACK SALE

PM DIGGING AROUND FOR SUPPORT IN BASS

TWO IN CUSTODY OVER SUSPECTED MURDER

DROP-OUTS, FALLING ENROLMENTS HINDER TOURISM TRADE

Ald Damon Thomas said if an elector poll was held and people were asked if they want a height limit in the CBD the answer would be a resounding yes.

“We are moving down a dark path and it will be up to our parliament to right the wrong that this process has without appropriate thought conjured up,” he said.

“But in many ways those meetings and the public petition that was foreshadowed showed up, in glaringly stark form, the weaknesses of the elector poll position.”

Hundreds pack Hobart's City Hall for a public meeting on the cable car. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

MEMORABLE ELEMENTS FROM THE CITY HALL MEETING:

CONCERNS that State Government has power under Cable Car Facilitation Bill to close Pinnacle Road.

PRESSURE on both major political parties to take the issue seriously but especially Labor to stand up and say no to cable car.

LARGE support for an elector poll on building heights.

SUPPORT for a 45m cap on heights in the CBD.

FEDERAL election candidates campaigning at the meeting to boost their profile.

[e-mail]