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 – 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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Article – Appeals stall project

Appeals stall project

The Examiner, 23 May, 2010

The redevelopment of Hobart’s Parliament Square has hit a few obstacles, writes ZOE EDWARDS.

THE developer charged with revamping Hobart’s Parliament Square precinct says the multimillion-dollar project is running smoothly and on budget, despite planning appeals delaying the start of work.

Sydney-based developer Citta Property Group proposes to convert the area behind Parliament House into an open and grassed public space, including an amphitheatre with a giant outdoor screen, bars, eateries and office space.

The space is currently full of unused heritage-listed buildings, car parks and State Government offices.

The Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority in February approved the demolition of government high-rise 10 Murray Street, a row of buildings along Salamanca Place and the red brick annexe off Parliament House.

The planning go-ahead has sparked a number of appeals against the redevelopment, namely by a group intent on saving 10 Murray and the heritage- listed Printing Authority building from the demolition ball.

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Article: Govt pours $25m into offices

Govt pours $25m into offices

SUE NEALES

The Mercury, February 11, 2010

THE Bartlett Government has approved an extra $25 million of funding to decorate plush new offices for its Cabinet ministers.

And senior bureaucrats at a time when state health, hospital and disability budgets are being pruned and cut

The Government’s latest financial report reveals it plans to spend $25.5 million over the next three years furnishing and fitting out government offices in the soon-to-constructed $100 million Parliament Square development close to Hobart’s waterfront.

But no public announcement has yet been made by the Government explaining its lavish spending plans for its new offices.

Most other changed spending priorities earmarked in the latest December financial figures such as extra money for frontline nurses, teachers, police and park rangers have been unveiled with great fanfare by the Bartlett Government as pre-election sweeteners.

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