The proposed demolition of a North Hobart building once used by the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Club as its clubhouse has been opposed due to heritage values.
A development application lodged with the Hobart City Council for 1 Burnett St will be considered by the city planning committee and the full council on Monday night.
The proposal by Ketley Investments is to demolish all existing buildings, fencing and landscaping on the corner block to make way for four modern townhouses, a pool and an underground carpark.
The 1906 Italianate-style brick house on the site is not individually heritage listed, but does form part of the North Hobart Heritage Precinct.
In a report recommending the proposal be refused, the council’s heritage officer Nick Booth said knocking down the house would “detract and diminish the said cultural heritage values” and fail to comply with the provisions of the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme.
“The proposal would result in the demolition of a property considered by virtue of its form, detailing and materials to make a positive contribution to the historic cultural significance of the North Hobart Heritage Precinct,” he said.
Mr Booth said the proposed precast concrete and celery top pine townhouses “would not be ‘sympathetic’ with the identified character of the heritage precinct”.
More than 40 representations supporting the new development were received between June 28 and July 12.
One person said they supported the project because it would “get the bikies out of the city”, while another said the townhouses would “remove the eyesore and bad image which is currently there”.
Tasmanian-owned Ketley Investments bought the 815sq m property off former national Rebels Motorcycle Club president Alessio “Alex” Vella for $1.25 million in November last year. The Rebels continued to lease the property following the sale, but have vacated in recent weeks
Source: Realestate