NewsBite

Essie Davis says Hobart will be sad and broken with skyscrapers

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Tasmanian actress Essie Davis says Hobart will be left a “sad and broken town” if hotel skyscrapers go ahead.

Essie Davis is against skyscrapers for Hobart. Picture: PHIL FISK
Essie Davis is against skyscrapers for Hobart. Picture: PHIL FISK

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Tasmanian actress Essie Davis has waded into the debate over plans for high rise developments in Hobart fearing the capital will be left a “sad and broken town” if hotel skyscrapers go ahead.

In an open letter to Hobart City Council aldermen, printed in today’s Mercury, Davis urges all Tasmanians to stand up against the two high-rise hotel developments proposed by Singaporean company the Fragrance Group.

The council will vote tonight on whether to grant landowner consent to would enable the company to move ahead with lodging a planning application for its proposed 479-room, 83m hotel and conference facility in Collins St.

RICHARD FLANAGAN: IT’S TIME TO STAND UP FOR OUR CITY

ONLINE PETITION LAUNCHED AGAINST HOTELS

“We have something unique and special in Hobart, and if we develop it carefully, with respect for it and ourselves and our way of life, we can make it one of the special places in the world,” Davis writes.

“But Fragrance Group’s high rise hotels will destroy that possibility by establishing an unstoppable precedent for more tall towers.

“The end result though will not be a high rise city, but a sad and broken town — the ruins of which Hobartians will be left to live in.”

HOTEL GROUP PLANS TO BUILD HOBART SKYSCRAPERS

The Hobart-born actress, who attended Rosny College before studying at NIDA, has had parts in both Matrix sequels, The Slap and acclaimed horror film The Babadook.

But she is perhaps best known for portraying Phryne Fisher in ABC1’s Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

She and her family have recently moved back to Hobart and have joined a growing chorus of Tasmanians speaking out against the proposed hotel developments.

The Singapore-based Fragrance Group late last month lodged development applications for a 120m 400-room hotel in Davey St and a 75m, 495-room hotel in Collins St — each worth about $130 million.

Digital image of Fragrance Group's proposed hotel at 28-30 Davey St, Hobart.
Digital image of Fragrance Group's proposed hotel at 28-30 Davey St, Hobart.

The Collins St development was initially lodged with the council in October, but was withdrawn and reworked.

“Every time I fly home and drive and walk through Hobart my breath is taken away as I experience its beauty,” Davis writes.

“It is one of the most beautiful, breath taking, rich and warm, aesthetically pleasing cities in the world.

“Do not let this city become tasteless mishmash copy of the cities who got it wrong.”

An online petition calling for the council to reject the projects and hold a public meeting on the issue has attracted more than 1000 signatures since Friday.

Members of the public appear to have heeded world renowned Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan’s call to contact aldermen with their concerns about the proposals.

Alderman Anna Reynolds said yesterday she had received about 50 emails in 24 hours and Ald Marti Zucco said he had received texts, phone calls and emails all totalling more than 80.

Ald Zucco said aldermen were unable to respond to the calls and emails as it could be construed as them predetermining their decision.

All objections from members of the public need to be lodged through the council during the official representation period, which has not yet opened.

Meanwhile, a forum looking at the broader issue of how heritage and tourism can work together in the future will be held in Hobart today.

It will feature guest speakers architect Robert Morris-Nunn and Hobart MLC Rob Valentine as well as Premier Will Hodgman, Opposition Leader Rebecca White and Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor.

The forum was organised by heritage protection campaigner Margaret Reynolds who said it came at the perfect time, with debate about the high rise proposals currently at its height.

“If the Tasmanian Government over the last 10 years had made it clear that they wanted to attract investors who are willing to take on restoration and reuse of some of our built heritage we might have very different proposals before us,” she said.

“We hope at the end of the day we’ll be in a position to present to the government a set of priorities going forward with built heritage tourism.”

Representatives of the Fragrance Group have been contacted for comment.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/essie-davis-says-hobart-iwill-be-sad-and-broken-with-skyscrapers/news-story/806b6a9ffef4a45c5512d956546bac95