Hobart Mercury
Thursday 30/7/2009 Page: 14
A HOBART alderman who objected to wind turbines on the roof of one of the city's tallest buildings says the proposal was refused on planning grounds, not because the council was "full of hicks". But the Hobart City Council was taking steps to prevent a similar development by building owner Robert Rockefeller at the Marine Board building. Ald Darlene Haigh's comments follow reports that the owner of the ANZ Centre in Elizabeth St is taking legal action over the council's decision on Monday to reject a proposal for four 11-metre high wind turbines that will ultimately generate up to 10% of the building's energy.
Designer Bruce Lipscombe is also considering altering the project to get it passed. Turbines on the Marine Board building are being considered by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority. Ald Haigh, chairwoman of the council's development and environmental service committee, confirmed the concerns would be put to the SCWA. But she denied those who rejected the development were "anti-development".
"We're not full of hicks, we don't have closed minds. This decision has been made on the grounds of planning," she said. "There is no provision for a development such as this in the council's planning scheme and if we had given it the go ahead then we would be setting precedence." Premier David Bartlett has also criticised the council's rejection of the turbines. "I am not a professional planner but I am disappointed that the first innovative idea I have seen in a little while in renewable energy has been knocked back." he said.
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