NEWS
Residents are claiming a tactical win so far in the battle for Howard Smith Wharves next to the New Farm cliffs under the Story Bridge – but they believe the fight is still far from over.
Residents anxious for the area to be converted to a mix of parkland and renovated wharves applauded Lord Mayor Campbell Newman’s recent decision to can a two-year development application to add a 15,000sqm hotel/convention centre and an additional three commercial buildings on the site. But the Howard Smith Wharves Appeal Committee, convened by local councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) believes the battle is not over yet.
“The Lord Mayor announced that the council will withdrawal their application,” Cr Hinchliffe said. “However, he has said in the same breath that if any private businesses want to build the new hotel and three other buildings, then he’d be happy for them to lodge their own application.
“So, we’re not out of the woods yet.”
Appeal Committee spokesperson Jane Ann Juhasz, said the committee generally favoured no new buildings on site, with renovation of the wharves and parkland on the balance. “The committee has a range of views. We were all opposed at the over-the-top intense commercial development the Lord Mayor proposed,” she said.
“Any private company will need to think twice about large-scale projects for this area.
“We want it opened up for parkland as soon as possible and will be just as determined to fight excessive private development as we were to fight the Lord Mayor and council development.”
Cr Hinchliffe has said while he does not support a 15,000sqm hotel, he had always favoured a very small boutique hotel – “not more than around 200sqm”, he said. “The fact is everyone of the 30 residents who appealed the Lord Mayor’s application, including myself, opposed the massive increase of building he was proposing.
“If we end up with more park and less building, then I think we’re ahead.”
