Press release – Supreme Court challenge by Save 10 Murray

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.”

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Article – Wrecker cleared for 10 Murray

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

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Article – 10 Murray set to go

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.

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Article – Office building backers vow to fight on

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.

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Article – Last plea to save offices

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.

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Article – 10 always for demolition

10 always for demolition

by CHARLES WATERHOUSE   |

The Mercury, October 07, 2010 12.01am

THE retention of 10 Murray St was not considered to any great degree in designing the Parliament Square development, an architect told an appeal hearing yesterday.

But Richard Francis-Jones said the removal of the top four floors was considered, and expanding remaining floors.

Mr Francis-Jones, who helped design developer Citta’s proposal, was the first person to give evidence at a hearing by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal into objections to approval of the development by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.

The main objector is the Save 10 Murray group.

Mr Francis-Jones said it would be possible to refit 10 Murray St for office space but limitations existed to recycling the building, although it would be technically feasible.

He disagreed with a proposition from Shaun McElwaine, appearing for the objectors, that 10 Murray St had a “very strong, solid form which defines the building edge of Murray St”.

Mr Francis-Jones said if the former government printery building at 2-4 Salamanca Place and 10 Murray St were retained, “you probably don’t end up with the public open space” that is intended by the Citta development.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:  http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/10/07/177431_tasmania-news.html

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Article – It’s city versus suburbs

It’s city versus suburbs

The Mercury, 12 July, 2010

by MEGAN McNAUGHT

THE battle is on to house Hobart’s public servants.

A plan to relocate sections of some government departments from the inner city has pitted the city against the outer suburbs, with both claiming to be the ideal location.

Employees of health and infrastructure, energy and resources departments have been told not to automatically expect to stay in the CBD when their Murray St office block is demolished.

Cambridge, Dowsings Point, Huntingfield and Rosny have all been mooted as possible new homes.

While the idea is still in its infancy, it has been welcomed in the suburban areas that would benefit from lucrative lunch-hour spending.

But it was met with frustration in the city centre, where traders rely heavily on public-sector employees.

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Article – Square bid forges ahead

Square bid forges ahead

The Mercury, 9 July, 2010

by SUE NEALES   

THE State Government has vowed to push ahead with the $100 million Parliament Square project.

It will do so even if it means defying planning laws.

Treasurer Michael Aird told Parliament yesterday he would not allow the development to be impeded and hinted at a possible government legal challenge.

The future of the proposal by the Citta Property Group is in doubt after a shock decision on Tuesday by the three-member Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal.

It ruled that new plans submitted by Citta as modifications two weeks ago were too substantial and fundamentally different to be included as part of an on-going planning approval process.

The tribunal found the revised project plans for Parliament Square were deficient and lacking in clarity.

Its decision said some drawings appeared incorrect and other shortcomings of the plans made aspects of the project problematic.

The tribunal said it found the “difficulties with information provided” added up to uncertainty about the visual impact of the proposal on the historic Parliament House.

The project contentiously involves knocking down the 1960s departmental office block in Murray St and replacing it with a modern square that includes office space, lawns, cafes, a piazza space and even a large outdoor screen.

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Article – Parliament Square scuttled

Parliament Square scuttled

The Mercury, 8 July, 2010

by SUE NEALES

AN ambitious plan to sell off the city block behind Hobart’s Parliament House for a major development is in chaos.

A shock decision this week by the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal has ruled property developer Citta Group cannot proceed with its multi-million dollar Parliament Square project.

The judgment throws into jeopardy the sale of the State Government-owned prime city block to Citta for $7 million, and the rejuvenation of the site behind Parliament House into a “people’s place” complete with large TV screens, cafes, lawns and provision for outdoor concerts.

Read the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal decisionLast week Treasurer Michael Aird said he was confident the sale would be finalised early this month, provided Citta obtained all the necessary planning approvals as expected.

The dramatic turnaround follows a decision by Citta two weeks ago to submit radically changed project plans and designs for Parliament Square to the tribunal for final approval after public consultation had closed.

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Article – Aird steps in over Square knock-back

Aird steps in over Square knock-back

ABC News Updated Thu Jul 8, 2010 12:10pm AEST

The lobby group formed to save 10 Murray Street says the new plans could not be considered a modification. (ABC Local: Carol Raabus)

• Map: Hobart 7000
• Related Link: Read the tribunal’s decision.

The Tasmanian Treasurer has taken a swipe at the state’s Planning Appeals Tribunal for rejecting the plans for Hobart’s Parliament Square development.

The Sydney-based construction group CITTA had resubmitted plans for a $100 million project after several objections.

The Resource Management Planning Appeal Tribunal says they differed significantly from plans submitted for public consultation.

The Treasurer Michael Aird says it is a disappointing decision given there has been strong community support for the project and the amendments were of a minor nature.

“The Government is determined that this project has to proceed and we will be doing what we can to ensure it does,” he said.

“It is an interesting decision that when a property developer puts forward a proposal which relates to conditions put on a permit for a development be undertaken, you meet those conditions by submitting an ammended proposal and that proposal dealing with those condition is then rejected,” he said.

Greens spokesman Paul O’Halloran questioned whether the Government would go back to the drawing board.

“Will you now commit to re-submitting the original proposal or start the community consultation process again?”

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