Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens' Leader and Member for Denison
If the Hobart City Council listens to the community and abides by its own Planning Scheme, it will reject the two Fragrance Group skyscrapers proposed for Hobart.
Council tonight will consider whether to give landlord consent for an area of Council land to be used by the developer.
Many Hobart residents are surprised the developments have been allowed to get as far into the planning process as they have to date. These skyscraper proposals, so out of character and so disrespectful of Hobart, don't belong in our beautiful city.
Given that the HCC has a ten story height limit for buildings in the city, it should reject these proposals that are inappropriate, aggressive and look like they've simply been lifted out of any other big city in the world.
There is nothing to commend these off-the-plan skyscraper designs. They are just crass, featureless designs designed to maximise the amount of money the developers can make out of the space.
The Singapore-based Fragrance Group has two skyscrapers planned for Hobart. A 120 metre tall structure is proposed for Davey Street and an 83 metre tall building for Collins Street.
In a city as beautiful and heritage rich as Hobart, we should be demanding the best in architectural design and amenity. We are in a position to demand that developers put forward proposals that respect our city's character and amenity.
The Fragrance Group has failed to do that. This is simply a money maximising push that would enrich the developer and detract from our city.
It must be rejected.