The Launceston Chamber of Commerce and The Examiner held a Mayor’s Forum that more than 100 people attended.

Six mayor candidates attended: Basil Fitch, Tim Walker, Janie Finlay, Alan Harris, Bob Salt and current mayor Albert van Zetten. 

Fellow candidates Joshua Sherrin and Tegan Sweeney did not attend. 

A number of topics were discussed and the night was hosted by Fairfax Tasmania group managing editor Mark Baker. 

The candidates were able to discuss their vision for Launceston, development, tourism and building heights.

RELATED: Read the live blog of the forum

Mr Fitch said if elected, he would not take payment for being an alderman or mayor.

Mr Walker said he would focus on heritage, livability, and the Tamar River. 

Alderman Finlay said the key strength of the city was built heritage. She said the council needed great leadership to maintain the essence of Launceston as the city moved forward. 

Mr Harris said he would continue to make Launceston walkable. 

“Cataract Gorge doesn't have a proper entrance. Kings Bridge would make an ideal entrance,” he said. 

Mr Salt said the only promise he would make was that he would not give up on representing the community. 

Alderman van Zetten said built heritage was important and that the city needed more events. He wants to bring tourists in to support those in the industry. 

“Tourists love our city and our assets. I would work with the strengths of the local people, form a Launceston Action Team to get together and talk about events, activities … to supplement what we are already doing,” he said.

Mr Walker said he would involve the community in the development process and said big business was not what the city needed. 

“I would draw a line around the CBD, in relation to building heights, and keep it as is,” he said. 

Alderman Finlay said small businesses have challenges and the city needed innovative business. 

“The Gorge, and the like, is our point of difference. It’s what makes us Launceston. We’re on the cusp of something great,” she said.

“We are planned out in Launceston ... What we need now is strong leadership to drive us forward and to maintain the essence of Launceston. And we need to work together.”

When asked if Alderman Finlay thought the council was difficult to deal with in regards to development, she said being in the middle was a tricky role. 

“We've started with a clear table and working with people. People are choosing to move to Launceston, we need that welcome mat to have innovators move to Launceston.”

Mr Harris said the feedback he had received from the community was that the council was hard to deal with on development. He is for development, as long as it’s “sensible”. 

Mr Salt said red tape by the council was a “large thing” that stops people from starting small businesses. 

Alderman van Zetten said the processing rate of development applications had been lowered from 35 days to 32.1 days during the last two years. 

“We have been working with the Chamber to see how we can improve ... As a council we will do DAs as quickly as possible,” he said.

Alderman Finlay said having Mona Foma was a game-changer for the city in terms of tourism. 

“Tourism through events and experiences that are the essence of Launceston is important.”

Mr Harris said the Gorge should be visited as much as Mona and Cradle Mountain, saying the Gorge needed to be re-imagined. 

“Add to the experience of the Gorge without becoming Disneyland,” he said.

Mr Salt said car parking was an issue for tourists and locals and Alderman van Zetten said the challenge with tourism in Launceston was the winter months. 

“That’s why we support Junction and football and any event we can. Exciting things about our city are the events. We need a Launceston Action Team so we can work on these events for all year,” he said. 

Mr Walker said the Gorge punched above its weight. 

“We just have to look after it. We don't have to develop it. We don't have to put our hands on everything,” he said. 

Mr Harris said new developments would be the heritage buildings of the next 100 years, but the council should be focused on good design. 

Mr Salt said considerations should take place, but it should be design over height.

“You can have one building and be one storey and be rubbish. If you have the right design it can go over the limit and be part of the city for 100 years,” he said. 

Alderman van Zetten said despite design being important, there does need to be a limit on height. 

Mr Fitch said it was important to look where high buildings fit, and Invermay – for example – was not the place to do it.

“Developers want, council jump,” he said. 

Mr Walker said his opinions lean towards lower limits, not higher limits. 

“We need design that will future proof us. That takes a lot of forward thinking. Launceston will grow faster than we think,” he said. 

Mr Fitch said the TasWater dividends were controversial, saying the council had spent the money on football and not thought of the ratepayer. 

“If elected, that money will be put in your pocket and create a decent economy for this city and reduce rates by $100 each. That is a promise,” he said.

Mr Walker said he would work to refurbish Duck Reach Power Station as a community project, increase water flow down the Gorge and create a community solar program as well.

“I would also reduce closed council meetings to a minimum,” he said. 

Alderman Finlay said she loves Launceston and wants to offer her skills and strength to the community. Her priorities are to do more for the next generation, be more vibrant, innovative and increase connectedness. She also aims to ensure Launceston is a destination people want to move to. 

Mr Harris said he is for a “better Launceston”. He would shut St Johns Street with bollards during the day to encourage people to walk and enjoy the city, and is in favour of a clean Tamar River. 

“Some of my suggestions need longer lead time then I will probably see out. I support free parking in the CBD for 90 minutes. It’s not good enough to spend all that money and have no one using those areas,” he said.

“If you can't achieve what you want in eight years then it's time to step aside and let someone else have a go. I commit to two terms and then step aside for the next.”

Mr Salt said one gripe he has is amalgamation. 

“We had amalgamations in 1985, the reason then was the same as today. We have to talk to other councils and politicians. We have too many councils. Too many aldermen. We are over governed. I'm running on amalgamation,” he said. 

Alderman van Zetten said he is a proven team player and would work with aldermen to achieve what is needed for Launceston. 

“The City Deal been great and key projects come from the bottom up. I’ll commit myself to making this city great. I believe that together we can make Launceston one of the greatest regional cities of the world,” he said.