Article – New Twist for old block

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

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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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The Mercury reports on the Save 10 Murray campaign

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