Call to bring back state architect

A STATE architect should be reinstated because of the unprecedented amount of development in Hobart and concerns about its direction, a city alderman says.

Alderman Helen Burnet

A STATE architect should be reinstated because of the unprecedented amount of development in Hobart and concerns about its direction, a city alderman says.

Alderman Helen Burnet has tabled a motion for the Hobart City Council’s planning committee meeting on Monday night to discuss the council lobbying the State Government to reinstate the position of state architect.

From 2009-2012, Peter Poulet filled the role but left for the same position in New South Wales and was not replaced because of government budget constraints.

The position was not reinstated by the Liberals when they took government in 2014 and a spokesman yesterday rejected the idea.

“We won’t see it as a priority use of precious taxpayer funds,” the spokesman said.

During his tenure, Mr Poulet created the draft Sullivans Cove plan, which Ald Burnet said was an important blueprint for much of the development in the historic precinct.

Ald Burnet said Tasmania was the only state without a government architect position.

“There is much that needs to occur to ensure good planning and design for our city, region and state,” she said.

“There has been significant public concern about building heights in Hobart, Macquarie Point has not been effectively developed and there is an unprecedented amount of housing and commercial development across the state.

“At this critical point in Tasmania’s land use, with so many pressures from interests, it is time to reinstate the position of state architect to apply high-level strategic thinking to the issues that Tasmania needs to ensure are sustainable.”

Ald Burnet said the role could encompass oversight of projects such as the use of roads and the river to accommodate transport, designing for schools, car-free areas, public spaces and how to cater for changes with the university’s greater city presence.

Australian Institute of Architects Tasmania executive director Jennifer Nichols said the institute backed the idea for a state architect as someone to help Tasmania flourish while retaining its unique characteristics.

“We always value the opportunity to talk to government, local government and the public to ensure we can achieve what we ultimately all want, which is to maintain and enhance the qualities that make this place so special,” Ms Nicols said.

The Opposition was contacted for comment.