LAUNCESTON City Council has approved a development application for the C.H. Smith site, which includes an amendment for heritage works to be undertaken before any new retail complex opens its doors.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The long-time eyesore, which has been left largely vacant for 20 years as successive developers attempted to have the site developed, saw a second DA granted to current owners, Brile, on Monday.
The $16 million project is for a two-stage, two-storey development with restaurants, a cafe, retail and bulky goods store space, a childcare centre and parking.
There is also a subdivision to remove the old cordial factory from the site and greater restorative works on the Charles Street facades.
Alderman Robin McKendrick said he would be very pleased to see this development approved, as work at the site would bring with it construction jobs and then ongoing retail employment and see the end of the ‘‘blight’’ on Launceston’s landscape.
With the help of council officers, Alderman Janie Finlay sought an amendment to the motion which aimed to ensure the previous DA was followed in regards to heritage works being completed to the satisfaction of council and Heritage Tasmania, before retail operations opening on the site.
The new motion with the amendment was passed 6 to 5.
Alderman Finlay also sought to clarify the number of truck movements near the old cordial factory which, according to the plans, would sit adjacent to a delivery truck area, with concerns that the amenity of the area would be impacted.
Infrastructure Services director Harry Galea said they expected that with two major tenants and four smaller ones, there would be between 20 and 30 truck movements a week.
Mayor Albert van Zetten said he was hopeful that this DA would see work on the site finally get under way.
‘‘I agree with all the other speakers, that it’s absolutely important not just today but when the building is finished and open and ready for business and I think that will be a very important day for this city,’’ Alderman van Zetten said.
All aldermen approved the DA, with only Alderman Jim Cox absent.
Brile’s original $30 million project, which was for a three-storey development with up to 20 stores and eateries, had been stalled for about two years.
A DA last year to see the old cordial factory demolished was refused due to an objection by the Tasmanian Heritage Council.
