A good slant, Percy, on the ongoing battle to retain heritage buildings and their jewels. Schofield is right about some of the appalling decisions that continually chip away at our built heritage – it’s as if we do not appreciate what we have, and we certainly do not recognise or promote it as a drawcard which should be showcased.
The decision by Council to reject the Wellspring proposal for Grosvenor St’s St Peter’s Church may still be appealed by the Anglican Church. We have no idea how the decision might go at the next level, at RMPAT.
It brings to mind the latest phase of Macquarie House which Council voted against offices towering over this significant piece of Hobart’s history. In mid-2009 the Tribunal overturned the Council decision that provided some protection for Macquarie House, referred to on these pages by David Halse Rogers.
Macquarie House is one of Hobart’s perennial heritage battles. Always in the firing line, the proposed building if ever built will completely change Mac House from both Victoria St and its frontage onto Macquarie St.
One can only hope the architectural vandalism of this design will be too costly to ever execute.
