BP Walkway: 12 years in the making. D-Day UPDATE

It’s 12 years since a Battery Point walkway plan was launched … and generated has been a 2 metres high stack of heritage, environmental, design, planning and other reports

Now, it is D-Day for planning approval.

Alderman Jeff Briscoe, chairman of the HCC Battery Point Foreshore Working Group said today the walkway proposal was launched in April 2002 as a community project. Those launching it were Ald Briscoe, Alderman Dr John Freeman and Des Hanlon, Chairman of the National Trust of Battery Point. It was launched on behalf of many residents.

“It has been a huge personal and group effort during these 12 years to get it to this point … against a well organized and funded waterfront owners’ campaign against – even – the consideration of the project”.

“No-one ever thought this public project would take so long to get to the DA stage.

“Persistence may have paid off,” Alderman Briscoe said today.

Alderman Briscoe added: “I believe this project has more detailed reports on design options, heritage, environmental, technical, social, consultation and planning than any public infrastructure project in the Hobart Council’s history”.

“On Monday night, October 6, the council (as the applicant) will be seeking approval of stage 1 of the project from the planning committee before a recommendation is presented to the full council a week later.

“The officers have recommended approval, subject to conditions. An independent planning officer was employed to do the assessment. The Heritage Council has given approval, subject to a few conditions.

“The Battery Point Advisory Committee at their recent meeting have given their in-principle support.”

Bicycle and other groups (including the University) had recently voiced their approval.

“I can’t comment on how the committee or Council will vote but at least the Council is now in the position to assess this project on its merits.

“When recently advertised the application for the shared pathway also generated the most representations (overwhelmingly supportive) – ever – for any project in the HCC’s history.

“It was only last year that the previous Green Labor State Government (current to Ministers Brian Wightman and Kim McKim) finally gave approval and some funds to complete the paperwork and to lodge the DA application (as owners of the water); overcoming a decade of delay caused by a few of the Battery Point waterfront residents who used their political and other influence effectively over 12 years.

“Since that time, HCC has given approval for 6 new or extended private jetties along the same area, with no fuss.

“A small amount of disputed waterfront land was compulsorily acquired at great public cost from the former Governor Sir Guy Green, and another owner, to facilitate access. This land will be significant for stage 2.

“Contentious fences were removed.

“Extensive public consultation show overwhelming support for this project from the residents of Hobart – including 80% support of Battery Point Residents.

“Stage 2 is in the planning stage.

“The project has been funded in the current HCC budget. Stage 1 will cost about $2 million.

“If the Council gives the final approval for the project than I am reliably informed that the group of waterfront residents opposing the stage 1 project have already engaged planners and lawyers to appeal a decision right up to the Supreme Court if necessary,” Alderman Briscoe added.

• Margaretta Pos, in Comments: Waterfront residents such as Guy Green, Ken Hosking, John White, the Cliffords, and others were having none of any of it. Indeed, Green sought $380,000 and Hosking $340,000 in compensation if a walkway was built – the only two waterfront landholders on Battery Point to own rare land titles to the rock shelf between high and low watermark. (All other titles allowed ownership of land only to the high-water line). There were exceptions, notably David Marriner, who built sandstone steps over his jetty to enable people to walk over it with ease and which suited the environment. And in May 2007, then Opposition Leader and now Premier, Will Hodgman, gave his support to a walkway from Salamanca to Sandy Bay.

• Ald Jeff Briscoe, in Comments: UPDATE: The HCC development service committee recommended tonight to approve stage 1 of the Battery Point walkway. The vote was 3:1 in favor. The recommendation of the committee will now go to full council on Monday.