Save 10 Murray

Press release – Supreme Court challenge by Save 10 Murray

save10murray — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:42:46 +0000

Supreme Court challenge

HOBART – 15 MARCH, 2011. Lobby group Save 10 Murray announced today it will appeal the Resources Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal decision of last month that dismissed its objections to the ‘Parliament Square’ redevelopment.

“We hoped that we would be able to take this step,” says group spokesperson Briony Kidd, “We feel very strongly that this is an important issue for the future of Hobart.”

“We had a target for the amount of money we needed. We haven’t got all of it, but we have enough to be confident of going ahead.”

“The level of support has been heartening. We’ve raised a lot of money in a short space of time and we’re confident there will be more donations over the next week or so. There are a lot of people out there who understand and appreciate what we’re trying to do.”

The group appealed the Sullivan Cove Waterfront Authority and Tasmanian Heritage Council’s approval of the redevelopment on the grounds that a culturally and architecturally significant building, the iconic 10 Murray Street, is to be demolished under the scheme.

Save 10 Murray also objected to the demolition of the heritage-listed building at 2-4 Salamanca, an art deco style 1950s building that formerly housed the Government Printer.

“We’re appealing to the Supreme Court because we believe the decision is incorrect in a legal sense,” says Briony Kidd.

“Our objections to the redevelopment are associated with the wasteful demolition of two buildings with acknowledged heritage significance. They are both listed on the planning scheme.”

“In fact, in 2011, demolition is an old-fashioned idea. From heritage, economic and environmental perspectives, it makes more sense to continue to use assets that we already have.”

“The truth is that ‘the greenest building is one that is already built.’”

“We call on the Government to take up this idea in the case of ‘Parliament Square,’ as part of their commitment to a more sustainable future for Tasmania.”

“We would like take this opportunity to thank the many, many people who have supported us throughout this campaign.”

“We also thank those who’ve contributed to our appeal fund over the past few weeks.”

“It’s inspiring that so many people, here and around the country, feel as passionate about this issue as we do.”

MONA…Murray

save10murray — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:19:15 +0000

Article – New Twist for old block

save10murray — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:24:15 +0000

by 10M Architects

The Sunday Tasmanian, DANIELLE McKAY | March 06, 2011 12.01am

A GROUP lobbying to save a State Government office block from demolition has produced a bold vision for its future in a bid to draw support as appeal action looms.

The vision for 10 Murray St includes sumptuous greenery, protruding balconies, a roof-top recreational area and even a jet-pack powered man flying overhead. Lobby group Save 10 Murray St has produced 1000 postcards of the image, which come complete with a printed message on the back addressed to Premier Lara Giddings.

The group is distributing them to cafes around Hobart.

Group spokeswoman Briony Kidd said the aim was to open people’s minds to the possibilities of what 10 Murray St could be if it was revamped rather than demolished.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/03/06/212081_tasmania-news.html

Article – 10 Murray St safe for now

save10murray — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:14:13 +0000

10 Murray St safe for now

The Mercury, CHARLES WATERHOUSE | March 01, 2011

HOBART’S controversial 10 Murray St office block will not feel the wrecker’s ball immediately — even though its demolition has been approved. Public servants will stay in the building until new offices for them are completed as part of the new Parliament Square development behind Parliament House. The project developer, Citta Property Group, has confirmed that the first building to be demolished would be the old Government Printery facing Salamanca Place. Work on the $100 million office complex will begin later this year.

Article – Wrecker cleared for 10 Murray

save10murray — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:07:06 +0000

Wrecker cleared for 10 Murray

The Mercury, DAVID KILLICK | February 16, 2011

TASMANIA’S planning tribunal has approved the demolition of the state office block at 10 Murray St, paving the way for the controversial $100 million Parliament Square redevelopment to proceed.

The Resource Management Planning and Appeals Tribunal yesterday rejected arguments from a group which wanted to preserve the 43-year-old, 14-storey office tower.

It found that the building did not have particular architectural merit and that its retention and refurbishment would not make economic sense.

“In the tribunal’s mind, the existing building is neither an exemplar of anything much at all, nor is it especially well executed,” the ruling said.

“In the tribunal’s view, there is ample material which persuades that there are overriding environmental and economic considerations not to retain the building.”

The tribunal also said the proposal complied with the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme and would improve the precinct in its current form.

“The site proposed for redevelopment is decrepit and has in large part fallen into disuse,” it said.

“Revitalising the area is important for Sullivans Cove, Hobart and arguably the state of Tasmania.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/02/16/207355_real-estate-news.html

Article – Legal fight over 10 Murray St may continue

save10murray — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:40:18 +0000

Legal fight over 10 Murray St

may continue

Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:02am AEDT, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3139995.htm

A group opposed to the demolition of the 10 Murray Street office block in Hobart is considering further legal action.

The 1960′s office block will be knocked down to make way for a $100 million redevelopment of Parliament Square after an appeal to save the building was dismissed.

The Save 10 Murray group argued the building was culturally and architecturally significant.

Spokeswoman Briony Kidd said the group was considering further action.

“We do have the option of appealing this decision to the Supreme Court, it’s simply that that’s a very expensive process,” Ms Kidd said.

“We’ve obviously put quite a lot of time and resources into the appeal up until now, which we were all happy to do because we do feel very passionately about this, but there are limits to what we can do.”

READ THE FULL ARTICE: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/16/3139995.htm

Article – 10 Murray set to go

save10murray — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 07:24:39 +0000

10 Murray set to go

The Mercury, DAVID KILLICK | February 16, 2011 05.28pm

The 10 Murray St office block is set to be demolished.

THE state’s planning tribunal has approved the demolition of the state office block at 10 Murray St – paving the way for the controversial $100 million Parliament Square redevelopment to proceed.

The Resource Management Planning and Appeals Tribunal yesterday rejected arguments from a group which wanted to preserve the 43-year-old, 14-storey office tower.

It found that the building did not have particular architectural merit and that its retention and refurbishment would not make economic sense.

“In the Tribunal’s mind, the existing building is neither an examplar of anything much at all nor is it especially well executed,” the Tribunal found.

“In the tribunal’s view there is ample material which persuades that there are overriding environmental and economic considerations not to retain the building.”

It also ruled that the proposal complied with the Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme and would improve the precinct in its current form.

“The site proposed for redevelopment is decrepit and has in large part fallen into disuse.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE: http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/02/15/207355_real-estate-news.html

Note: This article appeared in the print edition on 16 February, but appeared online on 15 February 2011.

Can you help?

save10murray — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:17:47 +0000

Save 10 Murray is made up of hundreds of people from different walks of life, some Tasmanian, some not; all with a common appreciation for the iconic State Government Offices building, the cause of modern heritage and, in many cases, a desire to protect the cultural assets of the city of Hobart.

Many other supporters feel most strongly about the environmental ramifications of demolishing a sound and still useful building, when retrofitting is a viable alternative (as evidenced by the approach of one of the three short-listed designs in the original tender process).

If you support the cause and feel you can help in any way, whether financially or not, please contact “save10murray@gmail.com” for more information. For instance, you might like to buy a T-shirt, a badge…or even a papercraft model of 10 Murray Street, as featured in this review in Architecture Australia.

This is a grassroots campaign without the backing of any large organisation and your support is vital if the effort is to be continued.

Article – Office building backers vow to fight on

save10murray — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:33:40 +0000

Office building backers vow to fight on

The Mercury, February 1 2011

The protectors of 10 Murray St are penning a second appeal after an amended plan for the controversial redevelopment was approved yesterday.

The Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority gave the Citta Property Group’s $100 million Parliament Square amended development plan the tick.

However, the development hinges on the initial appeal filed by the project’s main opponents, Save 10 Murray St, which remains before the Resource Management Planning and Appeal Tribunal.

The Parliament Square redevelopment is intended to revitalise the block of government buildings between Parliament House and Davey St.

But it has prompted controversy because the plans include the demolition of several historically or architecturally significant buildings, including the 14-storey Murray St office tower and the former Government Printing Office in Salamanca Place.

Save 10 Murray spokesperson Briony Kidd said fighting two applications was draining, but the group would still fight vehemently.

“We will continue to object to the demolition of the iconic building 10 Murray St and the heritage-listed Government Printing building,” she said.

Miss Kidd said the group was expecting a decision from the planning tribunal within the next week.

Article – Last plea to save offices

save10murray — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 05:40:42 +0000

Last plea to save offices

DAVID KILLICK | The Mercury

January 19, 2011 12.01am

THE 43-year-old government office tower at 10 Murray St is part of a “threatened generation of city buildings” and should be saved from demolition, a planning tribunal has heard.

Final arguments in the appeal against Citta Property Group’s $100 million Parliament Square development were heard in the Resource Management Planning and Appeal Tribunal yesterday.

The main objector is the Save 10 Murray group which wants the building preserved because of its heritage significance and architectural qualities.

The Parliament Square redevelopment is intended to revitalise the block of government buildings between Parliament House and Davey St.

It has prompted controversy because the plans include the demolition of several historically or architecturally significant buildings including the 14-storey Murray St office tower and the former Government Printing Office in Salamanca Place.

Save 10 Murray’s lawyer Shaun McElwaine said two reports used to bolster the case for redevelopment were flawed.

“The evidence put forward in favour of demolition suffers a number of defects and should be rejected,” he said.

“The persons who say this building is of such low significance it should be knocked down did not study here, do not practise here and have not spent much time here.

“It is an important building in the Tasmanian context, although it is maligned by some.”

Mr McElwaine said 10 Murray St was one of just five surviving state office blocks built during the post-war boom.

“We’ve got a heritage watchdog with their eye off the ball. They swallowed the developer’s line,” he said.

A revised proposal for the site is being considered by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.