Hobart City Council planning data reveals the capital’s most divisive development applications in recent history

A slew of projects slated for inner-city Hobart have provoked public ire in the past five years, but six in particular were heavily opposed. SEE THE FULL LIST + LATEST >>

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THE proposed developments in Hobart which received the highest number of official public comments for and against have been revealed.

The Hobart City Council has provided the Mercury with data which shows which projects in the last five years have sparked the most interest from the public either in support or objection.

The project which raised the ire of the public the most was a proposal by Singaporean developers the Fragrance Group for a 55m high hotel with conference facilities including a 1000-seat conference hall on Collins St.

Images from the Fragrance Group's Collins Street hotel proposal.

It attracted 1459 public representations, of which only three were in support of the project.

It should be noted that a substantial number of representations were facilitated by interest groups using a pre-prepared form, rather than independently prepared submissions.

It was not the only Fragrance Group project to make the list – the company’s proposal for 12- and 13-storey towers in North Hobart housing a 214-room hotel and 91 apartments and a residential apartment complex on Sandy Bay Rd were also included.

TOP NUMBERS OF REPRESENTATIONS FOR HOBART PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

The Fragrance Group's Collins Street hotel proposal.

2 COLLINS ST, HOBART

1459 representations (all but 3 against)

Refused on January 21, 2019

Fragrance Group’s second attempt to build a large-scale high-rise hotel in Hobart’s CBD ultimately failed.

It was proposed to feature 256 rooms, conference facilities including a 1000-seat conference hall, meeting spaces, two restaurants, a retail space, a pool and wellness centre, and three levels of above-ground carparking totalling 167 spaces.

Aldermen voted 10-1 to refuse the application because of its height, the hotel’s domination of other buildings in the area, and a failure to complement the character of Sullivans Cove.

Impression of proposed development by The Fragrance Group by Scanlan Architects. Picture: SUPPLIED

222 – 228, 234, 236 – 240 AND 242 – 250 ELIZABETH ST, 213 MURRAY ST, 68 WARWICK ST AND 72 WARWICK ST, HOBART

1322 representations (all but 3 in support)

Refused on December 17, 2018

Fragrance Group’s controversial $80 million North Hobart twin towers project was rejected 8-3.

The firm applied to build the 12- and 13-storey towers, which would have housed a 214-room hotel, 91 apartments and underground parking for nearly 200 cars.

The project has been in mediation for some time and has been listed for a further directions hearing on August 19 at the state’s planning tribunal.

An artist impression of the proposed Welcome Stranger development from St David's Park.

58 HARRINGTON ST, HOBART

883 representations

Refused on July 8, 2019

Elected members voted 7-4 to refuse the $30 million redevelopment plan for the Welcome Stranger Hotel which would have included a 13-storey apartment complex.

The decision was in line with the council’s planning committee recommendation that the project be rejected based on advice from planning officers because it did not meet heritage elements of the planning scheme.

The state’s planning tribunal later backed the council’s ruling on appeal.

Jane and Phil Zakaria at front with co-owner Chris Cooper of Boodle Beasley. Boodle Beasley in North Hobart has been forced to shut down its beer garden over the Summer because Hobart City Council says it did not have the correct permits to operate. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

315 ELIZABETH ST, NORTH HOBART

840 representations (all but 7 in support of the proposal)

Approved on December 2, 2019

In a reverse trend, the retrospective application for Boodle Beasley’s beer garden garnered enormous public support, with more than 800 people writing in favour of the proposal.

A Hobart City Council investigation had found the owners had carried out building works without a building permit or valid authorisation, and the rear of the property was being used for food service purposes without a permit.

Elected members voted 7-3 to approve the application.

Artists impressions of the proposed development to replace the Conservatorium of Music on Sandy Bay Road, Hobart by the Fragrancy Group. Scanlan Architects.

5-7 SANDY BAY RD, HOBART

353 representations (all but 1 against)

Deferred in May 2020 – currently readvertised

Another Fragrance Group project, located on the former site of the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music was for 55 apartments, plus a ground floor cafe, parking for 88 cars, a communal pool and gym.

The project was pulled at the last minute at the council meeting in May for further consultation and a smaller, scaled back version is currently being readvertised.

Approved residential apartment development for 9 Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart

9 SANDY BAY RD, HOBART

209 representations (all against)

Approved on May 25, 2020

Melbourne-based firm Moda’s first Tasmanian project for a $20 million luxury inner-city apartments complex opposite St David’s Park got the tick of approval 10-2 from elected members despite the high number of public objections.

Council officers found the scale of the development was appropriate.