Hobart planning meeting recommends refusing Macquarie St complex, undecided on Argyle St development

A motion to refuse a controversial 45-dwelling apartment complex proposal for Hobart's CBD has been carried at Tuesday evening’s Hobart City Council planning committee meeting, with the committee undecided on the fate of a nearby 20-dwelling proposal.DETAILS >>>

• New apartment complex to cater to single professional people, young couples and student market
• Application submitted for 20-unit complex at 98 Argyle St

UPDATE:

A motion to refuse a controversial 45-dwelling apartment complex proposal for Hobart's CBD has been carried at Tuesday evening’s Hobart City Council planning committee meeting.

Alderman Simon Behrakis had put forward a motion in favour of the $8 million development at 201 Macquarie St but community hostility over the project – which included alterations and demolitions at the site of a heritage-listed building – saw Councillor Mike Dutta propose a foreshadow motion that would call on Council to refuse the project.

It came after 170 representations were received from the community about the development, 168 of which were opposing it.

Ald Behrakis’ motion was lost four-two, while Cr Dutta's foreshadow motion was passed four-two.

The project will go to Council on Monday with a recommendation for refusal.

Another motion seeking approval for a major controversial project for the demolition and new building of 20 dwellings at Argyle St was also lost, with a foreshadowed motion to refuse the project deadlocked with three votes in favour and three against.

The matter will go before Council without a recommendation on Monday.

Meeting chair and deputy lord mayor Helen Burnet said at the meeting the discussion had been useful despite the lack of a recommendation.

A group of locals opposing the estimated $6.5m LXN Architecture and Consulting project shared fears at the meeting that the “excessive scale” would tarnish unique “ambience” created by the preservation of heritage buildings in Tasmania.

EARLIER:

TWO proposed inner city Hobart housing developments worth a total of $14.5 million have

both been recommended for approval by council despite a combined 391 public objections between them.

The Hobart City Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday night will vote on the two proposals ahead of the full council meeting the following week.

The first is an $8 million, eight storey apartment complex for 45 multiple dwellings and one ground floor office space at 201 Macquarie St.

Tranmere-based owner/developer 201 Macquarie Street Pty Ltd bought the site in 2018 for $2.52 million.

Proposed $8m apartments at 201 Macquarie Street, Hobart. Picture: Rosevear & Stephenson Pty Ltd

The 1285m2 site is currently home to a heritage-listed building and outbuilding plus commercial carparking for 28 vehicles.

Designed by Rosevear Stephenson architects, the new building would feature 43 one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom units and an increase in carparking to 51 spaces.

The council planning officer’s report said there were 168 public objections to the project received as well as two in support.

Concerns raised related to traffic – including one comment that too much carparking was provided – the building height and bulk and heritage.

“The proposed building is depressingly grey and the style is not in keeping with heritage brick and sandstone buildings in nearby Molle St,” said one objector.

“As a business and building owner in the city, this sort of development should be encouraged to breathe life back into the city,” said one supporter.

“Having high density housing on the fringes of the city would be a welcome addition in a changing world.”

Proposed $8m apartments at 201 Macquarie Street, Hobart. Picture: Rosevear & Stephenson Pty Ltd

The council planning officer concluded that the proposal “performs well” against the planning scheme and has recommended it for approval by elected members.

Across the other side of the city, a proposal for 20 units in Argyle St is also recommended for approval at the same meeting.

Local firm LXN Architecture and Consulting submitted the planning application to council for demolition and a new 20m high building for 20 apartments at 98-110 Argyle St.

The property is owned by Costmac Investments Pty Ltd.

The estimated $6.5m development would see the existing double storey commercial building previously occupied by a motor vehicle parts business become a six storey apartment complex.

Proposed $8m apartments at 201 Macquarie Street, Hobart. Picture: Rosevear & Stephenson Pty Ltd

Proposed $8m apartments at 201 Macquarie Street, Hobart. Picture: Rosevear & Stephenson Pty Ltd

The council received 223 objections to the proposal, with the vast majority raising concerns about the height.

“If approved, this proposal would set a dangerous precedent – I know it’s only 2m higher than the recommended maximum for the zone, but approvals should live with these,” said one objection.

“While the proposed development would have a building height greater than nearby buildings, its impact upon the streetscape is not considered likely to be so detrimental as to warrant a refusal of the application,” the council’s report said.