Nexus Hospitals submit third DA for New Town site redevelopment for contentious hospital

Would-be developers of a contentious private hospital in New Town are hoping the third time will be the charm as they submit another development application to council. LATEST >>

• Residents speak out against second application for $55m Tasman Private Hospital in New Town
• Nearby residents have welcomed the refusal of the Tasman Private Hospital in New Town

PROPONENTS of a contentious private hospital for New Town are having a third shot at gaining council approval.

Nexus Hospitals and Contact Group want to build the approximate $55 million Tasman Private Hospital at the site of the former WIN TV studios on New Town Rd.

A spokesman for Nexus confirmed to the Mercury on Wednesday that a third development application had been submitted to the Hobart City Council.

3D diagrams produced by the Hobart City Council of the proposed Tasman Private Hospital’s second application.

“Nexus is working with council officers on the content of the DA,” he said.

In August, Hobart City Council elected members voted to defer the second application and seek an extension with the applicant.

The project was originally knocked back by the council in December last year, on grounds including that it did not contribute positively to the streetscape and would have an unreasonable impact on residential amenity.

The proposal has drawn considerable community opposition.

Spokesman for nearby New Town residents, Glenn Woodfall, previously said they were not opposed to the hospital development itself, but its height and scale.

Site of the new proposed private hospital at the former WIN Television building on New Town Road. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Co-ordinator-General John Perry wrote to the council to give his support for the plan.

His letter to elected members said the developers had “spent considerable time and resources to accommodate the concerns of local residents in this second DA”.

“Tasmania not only needs development to drive our economic recovery from COVID-19, but it needs this type of development to help build our healthcare capacity to provide back-up to and free up capacity in public hospitals,” Mr Perry wrote.