THE Launceston City Council has approved the $16 million Silo Hotel development.
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As one of the largest developments before the council in recent years, the matter came before five new aldermen at their first meeting since the declaration of the polls for the final sign-off.
An amended motion was put forward by new Alderman Emma Williams and seconded by Alderman Janie Finlay, and will now see improved street landscaping with trees to be planted in Lindsay Street with adequate irrigation and anti-vandalism measures, within three months of the hotel opening.
The JMC Silo Hotel project by developer Errol Stewart is for a 79-room hotel with a cafe, restaurant, bar and lounge area, gym, two meeting rooms and underground car park that could double as a trade show space. A pleasure boat cruise pontoon has been included in the plans.
Mr Stewart first revealed his plans for the disused silos in January 2013, with plans to buy the structure and 6000 square metres of surrounding land to develop a $10 million, 64-room hotel.
The project had various incarnations, including at one stage to build an adjacent building to house more rooms but, with fears of a significant cost blowout, it was scaled back to its original proposal.
Alderman Hugh McKenzie said it was a significant step for the council in approving the project and recognised the work of the council staff.
Mayor Albert van Zetten said the project would result in jobs in the construction phase, as well as once the hotel was operating.
Alderman Finlay sought clarification from general manager Robert Dobrzynski that approval of the hotel would not impact on a decision of the future of the adjacent old woolstore. Mr Dobrzynski said it would not and that matter would go back before the council on November 24.
Before the start of discussion on the matter, Alderman Jim Cox said that despite the possible concerns of some over a conflict of interest that he may have with the developer – who authorised his election posters – he had received advice from the Tasmanian Local Government Association that it wasn’t deemed as a significant conflict, and he remained in the chamber for the matter.