Residents’ planning tribunal win over Tribe Hotel height

SIX storeys has been deemed too high for a hotel proposed in a heritage precinct.

Residents Julie McConaghy, her husband Phil Crawford and neighbour David Saunders successfully argued the six-storey hotel was too high and out of character with the historic precinct. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

THE fightback has begun over building heights, a group of residents says, after a rare win over a hotel developer and Hobart City Council.

Three inner-city residents have been successful in having a 104-room prefabricated hotel thrown out by the planning tribunal.

The $15-million Tribe hotel, part of an expanding group promising “accessible luxury”, was earmarked for a Sandy Bay Rd site opposite St David’s Park.

Council knocked back the group’s first development application before agreeing to modifications during the appeal.

Residents Julie McConaghy, her husband Phil Crawford and neighbour David Saunders joined the action, arguing the six-storey hotel was too high and out of character with the historic precinct.

Ms McConaghy said the group felt vindicated after spending up to $50,000 fighting the proposal.

“It’s the beginning of the fightback really,” she told the Sunday Tasmanian.

“It’s going to make the people who have the power to change things much more aware and careful and concerned for people who live here.”

Tribe was first to market with modular hotel rooms made in China when they opened in Perth in May.

Artist’s impression of the proposal.

The group offers a high-end accommodation experience without expensive extras like a concierge and mini-bar.

The Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal found a 10-metre height restriction was relevant, despite the discretion applied to many planning decisions.

“I don’t think enough people realise how important that St David’s Park site is and to have a hotel of this sort right on top of it is almost sacrilegious,” Ms McConaghy said.

“It’s still a grave site and it’s one of a kind.”

Tribe co-founder Mark Peters said the group was examining the decision and assessing its options.

“We are still of the opinion that this site is very well suited to a Tribe Hotel,” Mr Peters said.

The decision comes as Hobart continues to feel an accommodation squeeze and debate over hotel skyscrapers rages.

Council has been considering the setting of a maximum height limit in recent months.

Alderman Anna Reynolds said the tribunal had shown in recent cases it was prepared to back height guidelines.

“The tribunal takes our height and planning rules very seriously,” Ald Reynolds said.

Council general manager Nick Heath said changes to the hotel’s height transition from adjacent buildings had been deemed acceptable.

“The developer amended the proposal to a form that council and the officers were comfortable with,” Mr Heath said.