Update on the meeting of 10 August
On Thursday 10 August, the Battery Point Community Association held a community meeting led by an independent external facilitator. The meeting focussed on two main themes:
· draft Principles for inclusion in the Specific Area Plan (SAP) for Battery Point – these had been sent to members prior to the meeting
· changes to regulations concerning Visitor Accommodation outlined in the Interim Planning Directive.
The meeting attempted to achieve a level of consensus on the Principles with a view to providing an endorsed set to the City of Hobart for incorporation in the SAP. Much of the discussion touched on issues of wording and what was or was not appropriate. There was some confusion regarding the definitions of certain words, with words meaning something different in colloquial terms as compared to their definition within Planning Schemes.
As a consequence, it was agreed that meeting facilitator Caroline Lindus would work with the Committee to refine the Principles. The amended Principles take account of recommendations from participants at the meeting and input from members who were unable to attend.
It is important to understand that the Hobart City Council has asked us for broad Principles to inform the Specific Area Plan. They will be elaborated in due course.
Amended Principles following Consultation
1. Battery Point is a nationally significant historic precinct whose heritage should be protected from inappropriate uses and development.
2. The ongoing use of the Inner Residential zoned area of the suburb should prioritise residential amenity and be principally for residential purposes.
3. Future residential development should be compatible with the existing urban and historic development pattern.
4. Non-residential uses should not be permitted and new developments should be limited to existing commercial or mixed-use zones.
5. Proposed uses and development should not intensify existing traffic and parking congestion within Battery Point.
If you have any comments or questions about the Amended Principles, please do so through the Contact link on the Association website by close of business on Wednesday 23 August www.batterypointhall.org.au/contact/ .
Visitor Accommodation
The draft Principle that dealt with Visitor Accommodation was not given the consideration that was hoped for and has been left out of the amended Principles. We will be seeking your feedback on this issue by questionnaire by the end of the month.
Meeting regarding area plan & visitor accommodation
This is a reminder of the meeting to take place on Thursday 10 August from 5.30 – 7:00 pm in the Community Hall.
The purpose of the meeting is to gather the views of Association members on two separate planning matters impacting on Battery Point residents.
An independent facilitator will manage the event.
RSVP: To assist organisation of the meeting please RSVP by next Monday 7 August to charlesmorgan〈at〉iinet〈dot〉net〈dot〉au.
Absentees: If you are unable to attend and would like to express your point of view on these matters, please do so via the contact form on the Association website.
Specific Area Plan for Battery Point
The Tasmanian Government’s new Statewide Planning Scheme includes a component called the State Planning Provisions (SPPs). The SPPs provide for number of different commercial activities that will now be potentially allowed in Battery Point. These activities are not currently allowed under the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme; nor were they allowed under the old Battery Point Planning Scheme.
The Hobart City Council (HCC) has indicated that it will be making application to the have these commercial activities excluded through the preparation of a Specific Area Plan (SAP). The HCC has indicated that it will take into account a submission from the BPCA as part of its preparation of the SAP.
The meeting will seek agreement on some ‘principles’ (see below) that represent a broad community position to assist the Council in its preparation of the SAP. The ‘principles’ will also be used by the BPCA in any subsequent submission to the State Planning Commission in its consideration of the SAP.
Draft Principles for the Specific Area Plan for Battery Point
- As a first priority, the residential amenity of Battery Point should be protected and its heritage and cultural values enhanced.
- Battery Point should be a residential precinct with single or attached residences being the dominant feature.
- Future residential development should be consistent with the existing urban and historic landscape without allowing new forms of development to become dominant.
- Future development should recognise Battery Point as a significant national historic precinct whose heritage should not to be compromised by inappropriate uses and development.
- Commercial uses should be controlled and limited to existing commercial or mixed-use zones.
- Future visitor accommodation should be regulated to ensure that Battery Point remains primarily an owner-occupied residential suburb.
- New uses and future development should recognise the existing dire traffic and parking problems in Battery Point.
Interim Planning Directive – Visitor Accommodation
The Minister for Planning recently put in place an Interim Planning Directive that provides for various Visitor Accommodation opportunities. A fact sheet about the Directive was sent to community members in June.
Visitor Accommodation is not permitted in the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme for the Battery Point area; nor was it permitted in the old Battery Point Planning Scheme.
The meeting will explain in more detail the content and possible consequences of the Directive and seek the views of Association members in response to it.
Summary of the Three Broad Categories for Visitor Accommodation
In the Directive, Visitor Accommodation opportunities fall into three broad categories.
EXEMPT Visitor Accommodation
This category essentially provides for an owner-occupier to rent up to four bedrooms of a house. An owner-occupier can also let a house while on holidays or while temporarily absent.
This category does not involve the Council, nor is it required to meet any provisions of any planning scheme, such as off-street parking provisions.
PERMITTED Visitor Accommodation
This category essentially involves investment properties that are owner-occupied or owned by absentee landlords. A council permit is required for these properties, but the Visitor Accommodation Use cannot be refused. Special Use standards apply but there are no development standards in the Directive.
DISCRETIONARY Visitor Accommodation
This category essentially involves those investment properties that do not meet the Permitted requirements. It requires public advertising and could lead to appeals.
