Huon Valley Council approves DarkLab’s Transformer installation
DarkLab has been given the green light for its Transformer project, but the Huon Valley Council have made a few tweaks to the plan. DETAILS >>
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Four years after bushfires ripped through the Huon Valley, the project designed to help the region recover has finally been approved, but questions remain around the use of a helipad at the site.
DarkLab’s Transformer installation was approved by the Huon Valley Council on Wednesday, its second time before council.
In 2021, the Huon Valley Council rejected the development application for the installation, believing it would have an impact on the Ida Bay Railway, which has not operated since 2018.
The multimillion dollar installation, proposed for Ida Bay, has been previously described as a “never-ending kaleidoscope”.
The project includes construction of the permanent artwork, a visitor centre and cafe along with a carpark with 32 spaces.
At Wednesday’s meeting Cr Jenny Cambers-Smith raised concerns around the possible use of the helipad included in the plan.
Ms Cambers-Smith suggested the helicopter site be restricted to emergency use only.
“ … given the threatened fauna in the area, particularly the swift parrot and the risk of collision,” Ms Cambers-Smith said.
Because the council did not have the power to include a clause that it only be used for emergencies, it could only include the suggestion as advice, which cannot be enforced.
During the meeting, Cr Paul Gibson raised concerns around the potential increase of roadkill.
“The intention of the opening hours being daylight is to minimise roadkill, but I think the effects will be to funnel traffic into the worst time of day for animals,” he said.
“I think we should condition approval to an hour before sunset, rather than go to sunset … The other option is to do a lot of educational signage telling people to really go slow.”
The amendment was carried, along with an amendment to include safety barriers between Ida Bay railway infrastructure and Transformer and an amendment to request DarkLab maintain the tennis court at the site.
“Or if possible, retain it as part of the carpark. given the forecourt of Mona is a tennis court, this could be a nice synchronicity and a win-win situation,” Mr Gibson said.
The DA was approved unanimously.
DarkLab director Leigh Carmichael said the cost of the project was $9.5m in 2020, but due to inflation and increased construction costs, that number was expected to increase.
“We’re pleased the Huon Valley Council has approved our revised Development Application for Transformer,” Mr Carmichael said.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support and patience as we’ve moved through this rigorous process. While there is still a lot of work to do, we’re confident that this project can now be realised.”
Fate of art installation in council hand
After it was rejected in 2021, DarkLab’s plans for an installation in the Huon Valley will once again go before the council, and it’s recommended councillors give it the tick of approval.
The multimillion dollar installation, Transformer, has been previously described as a “never-ending kaleidoscope”, and it’s proposed for Ida Bay.
The plans were announced in 2019 to increase foot traffic to the Huon Valley as the region recovered from the economic impact of bushfires
In 2021, the Huon Valley Council rejected the development application for the installation, believing it would have an impact on other ventures.
The DA includes construction of the permanent artwork, a visitor centre and cafe along with a carpark with 32 spaces.
Once completed, the proponent forecasts Transformer will attract 30,000 people to the site each year.
The artwork is proposed to be located on Lune River Road at Ida Bay on a 5ha lot, also home to the Ida Bay railway, which is heritage listed, but has not been in operation since 2018.
The application says the proposal would not prevent future use of the rail line.
Huon Valley Council officers have recommended the development application be approved.
A flora and fauna assessment showed the development could have an impact on swift parrot breeding ground and could present the risk of bird collision.
But council offers who assessed the application found that the proposed buildings were not considered a high collision risk.
It said the installations was a “very low risk” because of its “low profile” and appearance.
But the collision risk of other structures, such as fences, was not assessed.
The assessment also says the
There were 13 representations received in relations to the proposal, three of which were in support.
Representations
Reasons for representations against the development included its proximity to the Ida Bay Railway, the potential increase of roadkill and traffic.
The council will meet on Wednesday.
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