A proposed shelter for women experiencing homelessness on Hobart’s Argyle Street is one step closer to being given the green light as an appeal plays out in the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT).
The St Vincent de Paul Society and Amelie Housing had their application for a 38-apartment, five-storey building blocked by the Hobart City Council in May due to concerns about height, parking and vehicle movements.
The council has now reversed its decision and approved amended plans for the $16.7 million development, saying slight changes have made it ‘good to go’.
“The primary reason for the support for the amended proposal was due to an updated traffic impact assessment that drastically reduced impact from daily trips,” a spokesperson said.
The council’s initial concerns were addressed by a slight reduction in height of 400mm and an updated traffic impact assessment, which estimated a reduction in daily traffic generated by the development from 579 trips to 103 trips.
Acting Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock, who originally voted in support of the development, said the revised proposal addresses the council’s planning concerns.
“We are grateful to the proponent for their diligent collaboration with the City of Hobart to achieve a viable solution,” she said.
“This development is a positive step forward for Hobart and we are excited to see it move ahead.”
A St Vincent de Paul spokesperson said they will “continue to work through the appeal process”, with final approval from TASCAT now needed.
