Objections by the hundred – a record number?

Over 800 submissions have been sent to the City of Hobart objecting to the proposed Fragrance two-towers development at 234-250 Elizabeth Street, Hobart. This is a significant number.

Objectors wish to preserve what is special about Hobart. Hobart is a low-rise city and should remain that way. Asking for two towers, each close to 50 metres high, in an area zoned for 11.5 metres, is unreasonable, and should not be allowed. Allow these towers and this development becomes a precedent for future similar developments popping up ad-hoc as sites become available.

The development would have an adverse impact on the streetscape with unreasonable impacts on residences in the vicinity, particularly the adjoining heritage-listed buildings. The two towers would block sunlight and overshadow the adjoining buildings. Wind conditions above the criterion for walking comfort have been identified. The development would have an adverse impact on the historic cultural heritage significance of Kelso Terrace.

Certain areas of demolition, e.g. parts of Kelso Terrace, would not result in good heritage outcomes.

The heritage buildings, with two towers over 10 storeys higher, would be ‘dwarfed’, and the proposed glass and concrete façades would clash with the design of the heritage buildings.

The development must be designed to be subservient and complementary to the place. It isn’t.

The consolidation of the lots must protect against incompatible development. It doesn’t.

This is a ‘place of archaeological potential’, so any works must be planned and implemented in a manner that seeks to understand, retain, protect, preserve and otherwise appropriately manage significant archaeological evidence. It doesn’t.

It is clear the developer is concerned with maximising economic returns over and above the sensitive re?-?purposing and use of heritage-listed Kelso Terrace.

Over 800 submissions is a strong rejection of this Fragrance proposal. We ask that a new application be lodged, one that suits the area, is reasonable, and is within the boundaries of the planning scheme.
Brian Corr President Hobart Not Highrise Inc.