A public discussion about Launceston’s building height restrictions was held on Thursday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Launceston CBD Building Height and Massing Study, which was compiled by the City of Launceston council and heritage and architectural consultant Paul Davies, was the main focus of a public meeting held at the Town Hall.
About 50 people attended the meeting.
The report outlined a number of recommendations for the city, which was split into four precincts.
It examined how building heights and setback controls could be developed to support the future development of the city, and aimed to provide certainty to developers.
Mr Davies said Precinct A, consisting of the western edge of the city, was the most “contentious area”.
Precinct A had the highest ability for development, with a maximum approvable height of 30 metres and a maximum height at street front of 15 metres.
However, buildings could still potentially go over this maximum.
Mr Davies said for those wanting to exceed the maximum limit, a planning scheme amendment could be made.
RELATED STORIES:
“There are very few developments that would go that path,” he said.
“We’ve tried to set that maximum height to give the flexibility to design good buildings.”
Mr Davies said the council did not want to lose the city’s character, with one of the draft’s aims to protect the historic character of the city.
But, a member of the public raised the issue of whether “obstructive 30 metre buildings” could keep the character of the city.
Many members of the public in attendance applauded the comment.
Precincts B, the riverfront area; C, the city centre; and D, the southern fringe of the city, would all have a maximum approvable height of 24 metres, with a maximum street height of 12 metres.
Mr Davies said he thought Launceston was a fantastic city.
He thanked the members of the public who attended the forum and made their views known.
”The fact that people love their city and their suburb is really important,” he said.
Community consultation on the draft will be open until September 7.
Feedback on the report can be made online at yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au/launceston-building-heights, where information and supporting documentation is also available.