Cove gets wind power

Hobart Mercury
Friday 15/1/2010 Page: 13

THE Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal has rejected an appeal by the Hobart City Council against a wind turbine development approved by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority. The council appealed against the authority's decision to approve installation of four 12-kW 11-metre high wind turbines on the roof of the Marine Board Building.

The council claimed the development was out of scale with neighbouring buildings and the general character of the cove, it interfered with the views and vistas within and beyond the cove and the turbines would be individually prominent in contrast with neighbouring buildings. The tribunal found no likely impact could be demonstrated on views and vistas, found the turbines would be in keeping with the character of the cove and said they were not out of scale with neighbouring buildings. Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine said the council had a win when the developer of wind turbines proposed for the ANZ Centre in Elizabeth St Hobart appealed.

The two parties reached an agreement at mediation on redesigned wind turbines. Ald Valentine said their height was reduced from 16.7m to 11m and the design changed. "We got a better outcome for the city, it pays for the council to look at these things critically." The final result was the ANZ building developer substantially modified the proposal so the turbines conformed with the City of Hobart Planning Scheme. Ald Valentine said the council had wanted to make sure its feelings were known about the Marine Board wind turbine proposal.