Proposed Gorge Hotel heard by Tasmanian Planning Commission

Spearheaded by JAC Group, the proposed 39-metre hotel would be the same height as the city's Silo Hotel and sit on the corner of Paterson street and Margaret street.

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Over the two six-hour sessions, the commission heard queries and concerns from numerous groups opposing the development, including Heritage Not High-rise Launceston and the Tasmanian Ratepayers Association.

The original plans for the hotel were first brought forward in 2018 and were subsequently passed by Launceston City Council before being dismissed by the planning tribunal.

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Less than a year after the dismissal, the Gorge Hotel development application was resubmitted under a "specific area plan", which would allow the development to be assessed without the initial height restriction. That SAP application was approved by the Launceston City Council in late September and must now be considered by the commission.

Proponents for the proposed hotel claim the $50 million development will bring jobs and new tourists to the city. One document submitted earlier this year by the Launceston Chambers of Commerce estimated that the project could bring 280 direct and indirect jobs.

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Despite the two-day hearing, however, the TPC chairman was forced to adjourn the session un-finished, meaning another hearing will now need to be scheduled before a decision can be considered. A follow-up hearing is expected before Christmas but could extend into next year.

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