Packed Clarence City Council meeting hears verdict on Rosny Hill development

Residents and interested parties packed out a council meeting with many turned away as a decision was made about a contentious project on Hobart’s eastern shore.

CLARENCE City Council made a decision on a contentious project proposed for a prime location on Hobart’s eastern shore at a packed meeting on Wednesday night.

The $50 million proposal for Rosny Hill by Hunter Developments, led by architect Robert Morris-Nunn, has been approved.

The application passed eight vote to four with alderman voting again being Richard James, Wendy Kennedy, Tony Mulder and Beth Warren.

ROSNY HILL PROPOSAL RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

The project would feature a 60-room visitor accommodation complex, two restaurants, a cafe and a public viewing deck with new public walking trails.

Hunter Developments was awarded preferred developer status for development on the crown reserve land by the council in 2015.

CONSERVATION TRUST CLAIMS PROPONENT HAS DOWNPLAYED PROJECT

In response to community concerns, the original concept has been reduced in scale, the number of rooms almost halved and the proposal for a conference centre abandoned.

Mayor Doug Chipman said the development would provide both tourism and economic

development opportunities for Hobart’s eastern shore.

“This project is strategically important for the city and the broader economy of the municipality,” Mayor Chipman said.

“The 5-star hotel on Rosny Hill will be a landmark tourist offering and will contribute to the

activation of the night and cultural economies emerging in Clarence’s city centre,” he said.

Alderman Brendan Blomeley, who moved the application, welcomed the result.

“This is the type of development our city desperately needs. This world-class development will improve public access, significantly enhance the overall visitor experience and ensure one of Tasmania’s best scenic views is available to be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike,” he said.

FORMER MAYOR GOES IN TO BAT FOR CONTROVERSIAL HOTEL

“A key component of the development will be public facilities that will include viewing platforms, public toilets, a restaurant and cafe, so that all Tasmanians and visitors to our State are able to enjoy all that Rosny Hill has to offer.

“Most importantly, this development addresses the lack of accommodation options on the eastern shore as it will deliver a state-of-the-art eco resort of 60 guest suites.”

The development application was voted on by aldermen at a special meeting Wednesday evening after the proposal received 541 representations from the community, mostly objecting to the proposal on a range of grounds, including issues such as the impact on vegetation and fauna, traffic, noise and the use of public land for private development.