Developers try to claw way back

THE owners of the former Claremont Primary School insist a scaled-down version of a residential development will go ahead this year despite a series of setbacks.

Anna McMahon and Tony Ellis.

THE owners of the former Claremont Primary School insist a scaled-down version of a residential development will go ahead this year despite a series of setbacks.

Husband and wife team Tony Ellis and Anna McMahon say construction on the first stage of a $24 million affordable housing village for seniors will start in November.

A development application would be lodged this month, Ms McMahon said, while negotiations with investors and a builder around a self-funding model were under way.

The statement comes after the latest suspected arson attack on the site last week that caused $150,000 damage. It also comes after a series of legal and financial setbacks the couple say were brought on by a serious illness to Mr Ellis.

The couple is embroiled in Supreme Court action over the property with employee entitlements fund TasBuild over a $2.5 million loan.

Last year, Mr Ellis was ordered by the Magistrates Court to pay various contractors outstanding bills of more than $100,000.

A dispute over the couple’s tenancy in a luxury South Hobart home continues to play out in court.

Ms McMahon, a former WIN News and Getaway presenter, told the Sunday Tasmanian the original plan for a $79 million “new neighbourhood” for 450 residents, to be known as Waterside Parklands, had been revised.

“I completely understand that this is a high profile site of great interest to the local community, many of whom must be wondering why everything is taking so long, and we owe an explanation for this,” she said.

“Apart from the fact this is a very complex, large site ... we must also take the blame for getting it incorrect with our initial development proposal.

“To put it bluntly, we simply misjudged the market, and buyer demands.

“However, just as we went back to the drawing board, there was a serious setback with my husband Tony’s diagnosis in early 2016 with a serious illness. This resulted in him having to take nine months off work as he underwent intensive treatment.”

The disused Claremont Primary School is demolished by Hazel Brothers after a fire caused massive damage. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The site has been attacked numerous times by arsonists and vandals, resulting in police and the Glenorchy City Council asking the owners to secure it.

Ms McMahon said an $8000 security fence had been damaged and eventually stolen, while a total of $25,000 had been spent securing the site over the past two-and-a-half years.

Council is considering options for securing the property. The rebadged Waterside Lifestyle Village proposes a gated precinct of 73 homes constructed over three years and priced between $250,000-$350,000, Ms McMahon said.

Mr Ellis, who has also planned an apartment complex for Willow Court in New Norfolk, offered an apology to those affected.

“A painful time it’s been for me and my family, being off on unpaid sick leave for nine months,” he said.

“However, after this really challenging period of my life, it’s wonderful to be back at work again for part two of my life.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to anyone who has been impacted — especially financially — by these delays, and I gratefully appreciate their patience as I’m now at work quickly resolving these issues.”

Glenorchy Council commissioner Sue Smith, who met with the couple earlier this year, said she would welcome development of the site.

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