Economy
LOCAL: The UTAS city … and Conflicts of Interest. Despard Gallery’s complaint …
*Pic: Model of the projected student accommodation …
• Not for us any of Oxford’s gentle spires if Hobart is to become the UTAS city, HERE … Note that the Officer Recommendation is for Refusal. From what I’ve heard, the application is running into problems as it well exceeds the limits of the City’s Planning Scheme. What UTAS is asking for will create a large mass of building with four linked towers at 15 levels, which exceed the existing heights in the area. In effect, lifting something like the State Library building and putting it down on the site, as one person commented. For video run through of the site, go: HERE …
• Conflict of interest and bias in decision making, HERE And this is where the rubber hits the road in so many of those allegations of corrupt local government practice. Who has a conflict of interest? And how is it judged? Can I say to anyone who is elected to local government that this is one of the most crucial parts of your role that you must get right at all times? This is not a time for grey areas or angels polka-dotting on pinheads of needles. Either you have a conflict or you don’t, and you’ll have to prove it within the confines of the rules if called on to do so. …
EARLIER on Tasmanian Times …
• Tony Hagar: Hobart Architecture and The Dilemmas of Development
And,
• Tony Hagar: Words, meaning and Hobart architecture
• Tony Hagar: Hobart … and architectural masterpieces
• Anna Reynolds: Controversial building vote needs to wait for fresh Council
IMAS Award-winning architecture? …How it still looks from the first letter I wrote back in May
How it is supposed to look by now …
How it is supposed to look by now …
• Steven Joyce, Despard Gallery:
Good morning all,
After three weeks of roadworks patching the surface along Castray Esplanade, I am very disappointed to see the plastic lego fence remains unchanged outside IMAS. The roadworks alone made a significant negative impact on foot traffic and business in general – the remaining fence still screams Hazard approach with Caution to any visitor to the area via car, pushbike or pedestrian.
We have had numerous assurances that all will be cleared and the bike path marked, the reticence of IMAS – UTAS management is pretty sad as I again look at the architects’ unresolved vision that was going to add street life to the area. I am also concerned as marking out parking spaces on the other side of the fence give the impression that the fence is a permanent fixture.
The complacency in regard this aesthetic eyesore by the relevant bureaucrats is pathetic, particularly given the recent PR that labels Hobart as a funky cultural getaway. Given Salamanca is a key tourism destination, this type of oversight is very disappointing for businesses and residents that have invested in living and operating in the area.
We were assured that it would be cleared by Dark Mofo in June, five months on that has still not happened.
Things need to change ASAP.
I would appreciate any feedback and assistance with getting this eyesore removed.
Kind regards,
Steven Joyce
THURSDAY, October 23 …
• Eva Ruzicka: Melville Street UTAS proposal: Questions that must be answered!
I’ve received some pretty concerned emails over the UTAS Melville Street proposal. It’s clear that, despite have to declare a non-pecuniary interest, I strongly support tertiary education as a growth sector for Hobart. (See earlier blogs.) Yet in the interests of fairness, the rest of the Aldermen are being asked to set aside the City of Hobart’s Planning Scheme when it comes to zoning, use, heritage, density and height.
Does the University’s case stack up?
Have a look at the reports …