Residents speak out against second application for $55m Tasman Private Hospital in New Town

New 3D images produced by the Hobart City Council show the “true scale” of a proposed private hospital in the suburbs, say nearby residents. SEE THE IMAGES >>

3D diagrams produced by the Hobart City Council of the proposed Tasman Private Hospital.

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NEW Town residents say they were left “shocked” after seeing for the first time 3D diagrams produced by the council of a proposed private hospital for the area.

The Hobart City Council planning committee will meet on Monday night and will consider the application by Nexus Hospitals and Contact Group for the $55 million Tasman Private Hospital proposed for the former Win TV site on New Town Rd.

For indicative purposes, the council produced a series of 3D images which show the proposal in the context of the surrounding residential area.

3D diagrams produced by the Hobart City Council of the proposed Tasman Private Hospital

A spokesman for nearby residents opposed to the development, Glenn Woodfall, said the diagrams had “confirmed their worst fears about the true scale of this building”.

“One resident told me it would be like having the Ruby Princess tied up at his fence, and I could see what he meant,” he said.

Mr Woodfall said residents had been requesting 3D massing diagrams from the proponents since the plans were first announced last year.

“The problem is still the massive height and scale of this proposal, which the company could have resolved by paying to excavate the building to a suitable depth,” he said.

“They went for the cheapest option, which means that we are being asked to pay for a bad building design with the liveability of our homes and community.”

A recent EMRS poll commissioned by the proponents found 86 per cent of respondents supported the development after the details were explained to them

Nexus CEO Andrew Petering said the company was “fairly certain a majority of Tasmanians quietly, but strongly supported our project.

“This was confirmed by the independent research we commissioned to inform the approval process that we are currently working through,” he said.

“After feedback received from council and residents, we have significantly improved our design in response to some initial concerns about the original design.

“We are confident the new design is fully compliant within the required performance criteria.”

Mr Woodfall said the poll was “highly biased” with “leading questions”.

The hospital application has been recommended for refusal by planning staff and is expected to be voted on by the full council next Monday.

Artist's impressions of proposed apartment complex in Lefroy St, North Hobart, to be known at The Orchard. Design: VIOTO DEVELOPMENT

The planning committee will also consider an application for a three-storey 825sq m residential apartment complex on Lefroy St to be known as The Orchard.

It is recommended for approval.