Darko Krajinovic’s revised Mt Stuart townhouse plan recommended for approval

A planning committee has recommended approval of amended plans for four townhouses on the site of an illegal demolition of a heritage-listed house.

An artist’s impression of Darko Krajinovic’s proposed development for four town houses in Mt Stuart. Picture: SUPPLIED

HOBART City Council will lobby the State Government over harsher penalties for illegal demolitions in the wake of the Mt Stuart Rd saga.

The call for tougher penalties came as the Planning Committee recommended Council approve a plan for four townhouses at 55 Mt Stuart Rd.

Property owner Darko Krajinovic’s development application was knocked back at a Planning Committee meeting last month due to overshadowing and traffic concerns.

However an amended proposal addressing the committee’s concerns passed at Monday night’s meeting.

FIRST TICK FOR TOWNHOUSES DEVELOPMENT

COUNCIL KNOCKS BACK TOWNHOUSE PLAN

REVISED PLANS SUBMITTED FOR FOUR TOWNHOUSES

The new plans contain a revised shading study that says solar access would be available to the rooms of townhouses one and four and a bedroom window sill on one of the townhouses would have a minimum height of 2m, meaning it is unlikely to be affected by vehicle light.

Alderman Tanya Denison said the revised design was a significant improvement.

“It would have been good if that’s what we saw last time,” Ms Denison said.

The townhouses will be considered at next Monday’s full council meeting.

Mr Krajinovic was fined $225,000 for illegally demolishing the original 1885-era home at the site in February 2017.

He also cut down two significant trees, an Irish yew tree and bay tree, without making an application to the council.

The demolished house in Mt Stuart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

However amendments to the Land Use and Planning Approvals Act meant the council was not able to apply for an order banning Krajinovic from developing the property.

The Planning Committee also approved a report recommending Council write to the State Government requesting law changes to increase penalties for unlawful use or development.

The report recommended similar penalties to those in place in New South Wales, which include land forfeiture and forcing developers to pay back any monetary benefits gained by committing the offence.

Alderman Jeff Briscoe said Council should advocate for stronger penalties with both the State Government and the Local Government Association in light of the illegal demolition in Mt Stuart.

“We have a perfect example of where the penalties were inadequate,” he said.