Resource, Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal hears of ‘iconic’ proposed Gorge Hotel

An appeal against a proposed hotel has been told the development could deliver an “iconic” building.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Gorge Hotel development. Picture: CBG ARCHITECTS

THE hearing into a proposed 39m tall hotel near Cataract Gorge in Launceston has been adjourned for two weeks.

The $50 million development was approved by the Launceston City Council in June and

Susie Cai, whose home and restaurant would be overshadowed by the proposed hotel on the outskirts of the Launceston CBD, appealed against its approval to the state’s planning tribunal.

The nine-storey hotel would be developed by Josef Chromy’s JAC Group on the corner of Margaret and Paterson streets.

Ms Cai has lodged several grounds of appeal with the Resource, Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, arguing the council did not correctly advertise the application, and that it did not adequately consider the effect on birds, noise, parking requirements, existing road access, land stability or the effect it would have on sunlight at her property.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Gorge Hotel development. Picture: CBG ARCHITECTS

The second day of the tribunal hearing on Tuesday heard from Launceston City Council town planner Iain More who assessed the proposal and recommended it for approval.

Under questioning from a tribunal member, Mr More said he believed the hotel could be an iconic building for Launceston.

When asked to define what “iconic” was, Mr More said “something people would know about, be proud of”.

The hearing was adjourned until September 19, with the tribunal members to view the site in the interim.