$50m Gorge hotel development a step closer

The 5-star, nine-storey Gorge Hotel development proposed by Josef Chromy’s JAC Group is a step closer after a council vote, as community claims of corruption upset the mayor. LATEST >>

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The controversial $50m Gorge Hotel development in Launceston is a step closer.

The Launceston City Council unanimously voted in favour of initiating Amendment 66 to the Launceston Interim Planning Scheme 2015 which will provide a Specific Area Plan over the proposed development area.

The development proposed by Josef Chromy’s JAC Group is for a 5-star, 145 room, nine-storey hotel.

The Gorge Hotel would also include a restaurant and bar facilities for up to 200, a 500 capacity conference centre, retail space, meeting rooms and carparking.

Artists impressions of "The Gorge" development by Josef Chromy Group at Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Image: CBG Architects

Thursday’s meeting was heated at times, despite the unanimous support from councillors for the amendment.

“Has Launceston City Council been in collusion with the JAC Group in respect of the drafting of this specific and can they assure the community that no inducement of any kind has been received by elected representatives or council staff to facilitate this planning amendment?” a community member asked before being called to order.

The quick response was “definitely not” and various councillors later expressed their concern about the suggestion of corruption.

Launceston City Mayor Albert van Zetten said it was disappointing that the focus wasn’t on dealing in facts.

“We need to be talking about what the issues are and not to start to make assumptions, not to start to throw aspersions out there that have no foundations what so ever,” he said

The SAP will allow a larger build than usually permitted under the urban mixed use zone, up to a height of 41.6m, if it is for visitor accommodation and for ancillary uses such as conferences facilities, and remove the need for it to be complementary with the surrounding area.

A development application will be required at a later date.

Launceston Mayor Albert Van Zetten. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Councillor Paul Spencer was among those to speak of the need for more accommodation in the city during events like last weekend’s AFL match.

Councillor Alan Harris said he believed it will “become an icon of our city”.

The development was previously approved by council on June 13, 2019, but was overturned on a later appeal due to the height and because it was not sufficiently complementary with the surrounding area.

JAC Group Managing Director Dean Cocker said the Gorge Hotel would employ 300 people full time during two years construction and 280 people directly and indirectly on an ongoing basis after it was built.

“You were right the first time, there is no unreasonable overshadowing and the project is compatible with the broader surrounding area of the city where there are already similar height buildings,” Mr Cocker said.

Resident Susie Cai who has previously launched an appeal against the development because of overshadowing to her home and business said the amendment was lacking in merit.

“The fact the building envelope neatly matches the shape of the proposed development reviews the lack of strategic planning justification behind this amendment,” she said.

The site at the corner of Paterson St and Margaret St is located walking distance from both Cataract Gorge Reserve and the city centre.

The amendment will now be advertised for 28 days before a report will be returned to council.