The Skylands mega-development on Hobart’s eastern shore is back on the table, with an updated masterplan that will be voted on by Clarence councillors more than six months after its initial rejection.
This major development, located about 25-minutes from Hobart’s CBD by car (on a good day), would see around 2,500 new homes built across 6 connected neighbourhoods on the Droughty Point Peninsula over the course of four decades.
Mayor Brendan Bromley says he is now prepared for a “respectful debate” with councillors following extensive negotiations with the developers, the Carr Family, after the initial masterplan was rejected in March.
“This has been long and detailed process for Council,” said Blomeley.
“A lot of thought and consideration has been put into the revised proposal and this is clearly a significant decision for Council to make.”
The updated plan includes a variety of different housing options, commercial spaces, public parks, potential schools and possible multiple transportation networks like ferries and cycleways.
a sense of intensity of development and the general character of streets, blocks, open spaces and building types. It is not intended to depict any particular style. Image / Skylands
“We know our aspirations for Skylands are high. And we recognise achieving our goals won’t be easy, but we believe with persistence and determination we will reach them,” the revised masterplan reads.
However, opponents against the “crammed” proposal remain adamant that Skylands ‘will not work’ for the area and is “not fit or wanted by the community”.
“We know there are significant holes in this plan and believe that there is still too many unknown for Council to support the proposed Masterplan which community has not seen,” the Friends of Tranmere & Droughty Peninsula Association said.
“All we know, is there is little change to the plan that was first floated 3 years ago. We have continued to advocate for a blended option to reduce density and height of the development to a more sustainable figure, noting the site was already proposed to have 1,700 dwellings.”
They suggested councillors again reject the plan “until there is greater meaningful community consultation and a plan with widespread support”.
Councillors will vote to approve or decline the plan on Monday and decide whether to authorise the CEO to develop a structured plan for the phased development of the area.
