Developer says tower project has plenty of support despite hundreds of submissions against it

THE Hobart City Council has received almost 800 submissions against a proposal for a North Hobart hotel and residential project.

An artist’s impression of Fragrance Group’s hotel proposal as seen from Elizabeth St. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE Hobart City Council has received almost 800 submissions against a proposal for a North Hobart hotel and residential project from developer Fragrance Group.

Hobart Not Highrise president Brian Corr, who opposes the $80 million development, said there was palpable anger from the community towards the proposal.

The Singapore-based firm has applied to build 12 and 13-storey towers in Elizabeth St near the corner of Warwick St.

The buildings would house a 214-room hotel and 91 apartments, as well as underground parking for nearly 200 cars.

Mr Corr said objectors wished to preserve what was special about Hobart.

He said 408 submissions had come through the Hobart Not Highrise website while a further 356 submissions were collected by the Tasmanian Conservation Trust.

The remaining submissions, most against the proposal according to Mr Corr, came directly from individuals to the council.

“Asking for two towers, each close to 50m high, in an area zoned for 11.5m, is unreasonable, and should not be allowed,” Mr Corr said.

“Eight hundred submissions is a strong rejection of this Fragrance proposal.

“We ask that a new application be lodged, one that suits the area, is reasonable, and is within the boundaries of the planning scheme.”

But a spokesman from Fragrance Group maintained there was strong public support for new multi-storey hotel developments in Hobart and significant support for projects 45m in height and above.

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“This view is supported by polling conducted in October last year by independent Tasmanian research company EMRS showing that 68 per cent of people supported new hotel developments, with just 24 per cent opposed,” the spokesman said.

“Fragrance Group’s proposed Elizabeth St [development] is in line with community support and also not dissimilar to other building heights in Hobart.

“Fragrance is hopeful the development applications for the Elizabeth St project will be approved, so that construction can commence as soon as possible.”

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The development application has been referred to the Environment Protection Authority because of the amount of excavation required.

A council spokesman confirmed that it had received about 800 submissions regarding the hotel development.