Hobart Fragrance hotel mock-up image slammed as ‘obvious scaremongering’

CONSERVATION groups are being accused of circulating a misleading mock-up of a controversial hotel proposal from Singapore-based developer Fragrance Group.

Artists’ impression of proposed development by The Fragrance Group by Scanlan Architects. Picture: SUPPLIED

CONSERVATION groups are being accused of circulating a misleading mock-up of a controversial hotel proposal from Singapore-based developer Fragrance Group.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust have circulated an image of the $80 million proposal, for Elizabeth St in North Hobart, to highlight its height of nearly 50m.

The mock-up was put together by the TCT, but bears little resemblance to the image included with Fragrance’s development application advertised last week.

“We need sensible debate about these projects, not misleading information like that,” Tourism Industry Council chief executive Luke Martin said.

“That’s just obvious scaremongering.

“People may or may not like the idea of an 11-storey building in that particular part of North Hobart, but let’s at least look at the facts.”

Fragrance, which controversially proposed a 200m skyscraper for the Hobart waterfront, has applied to build 12- and 13-storey towers, one housing a 214-room hotel and the other 91 apartments.

A mock-up of the Fragrance proposal produced and circulated by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. Picture: SUPPLIED

Three levels of underground parking for nearly 200 cars is also included, along with a restaurant and function rooms.

TCT director Peter McGlone said his organisation’s image was developed before the DA went public.

Ms O’Connor made no apology for tweeting the mock-up with the message “another ugly, aggressive, off-the-rack building proposed for our beautiful heritage city”.

“Not sure why the Tourism Industry Council and others are getting all worked up about a graphic,” she said.

“What’s their actual position on the Fragrance Group’s persistent affront to Hobart’s skyline?”

The Tourism Industry Council has previously opposed the push for high-rise buildings from Fragrance.

Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie said the debate needed to be based on the facts.

“Like all developers they are entitled to lodge a development application with council but I see this one as being problematic in that area and based on that limited height,” he said.

The planning scheme for the fringe CBD area sets height limits at 11.5m, while major excavation works require Environment Protection Authority approval.

The twin-tower development will be opposed by activist group Hobart Not Highrise. Group president Brian Corr said the buildings were not appropriate in a heritage precinct.

“It’s intimidating for everything around it,” he said. “It will block sunlight, it will overshadow.”

Fragrance backed away from its Davey St proposal and modified another hotel design after public opposition to its skyscraper proposals.

The developer was unable to respond to the Sunday Tasmanian by deadline.

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