Apart from getting all BLINGEDup and cutting ribbons, Launceston's Mayor had one job and that was to ensure that appropriate decisions are made around the table in open deliberation. Increasingly it seems that in his term 'representing' the city's constituency his 'legacy' will quite likely be up for contentio
On the other hand the city's GM/CEO also had/has one job to do and that is/was to ensure that Councillors make their determinations on the best possible expert advice. Increasingly it seems that in his term 'serving the city's Council' his 'legacy' it is quite likely that will be up for contention. Always remembering that he is accountable to the Councillors and not visa versa as it all too often appears to be the case.
Launceston's so-called 'planners' must be working in cahoots with someone looking for a particular outcome that suits suits someone's distorted or redundant world view. Dig deep enough here and it'l be discovered. However, the Mayor offers a way to start but he'll be a feather duster soon enough. That's so, albeit that he and his band aspiring incumbents want, it appears, more and more of the same old, same old, ineptitude that we should have been 'shot of' decades ago.
There is yet more evidence here that this bunch of incumbents are beyond redemption. However here are a couple of salutary quotes ... "Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections." ... John Piper ... MMmmmmmm ... "True redemption is seized when you accept the future consequences for your past mistakes." ... Eduardo Macedo.
The questions hanging here are: Is redemption even being sought? Is it assumed already?DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE
AND
PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR INCUMBENCY
IN THE EXAMINER ... A community housing provider has blamed the City of Launceston Council for a budget blowout of a new development at Youngtown.
Centacare Evolve Housing chief officer Ben Wilson said costs increased by 10 percent after the council refused their initial development application for a 24-unit social housing project in May 2020.
The council approved an amended application for 18 units later that year before their original decision was overturned by the Tasmanian Planning Commission in July 2021, giving a green light for the project to return to 24 units.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said councillors refused the application because they sought to provide the best planning outcome for disadvantaged members of the community in terms of density and open space provisions.
The project at 357-361 Hobart Road is a joint development with City Mission and CatholicCare. Centacare Evolve Housing will manage the facility on behalf of CatholicCare.
Mr Wilson said the project, which was not supported by council, had to go to the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
"The Commission overturned the council's concerns and the project has since progressed," Mr Wilson said.
"Building costs, particularly the cost of construction, has increased by 10 per cent due to the project being delayed through the council planning phase."
The overall cost of the build is approximately $6.4 million, in May 2020, the cost sat at $5 million.
Cr van Zetten said when sitting as a Planning Authority, the planning scheme requires councillors to exercise discretion on issues like density and open space.
He said these issues can be subjective and people may have different opinions and interpretations of the scheme.
"The Tasmanian Planning Commission formed a different view to the councillors in terms of these requirements," he said.
Regarding the increase in costs, Cr van Zetten said council understands that planning and construction costs are a challenge for businesses and they seek to expedite applications wherever possible.
At the time, then-councillor Janie Finlay said it was "confronting" when council couldn't support affordable housing due to issues with a development application.
"There is clearly a need for this housing stock in the community," she said.
Cr Finlay said it was "tough" but by making those decisions council were able to ensure better planning outcomes.
The project is partly funded by the Department of Communities Tasmania and Centacare Evolve Housing, with City Mission contributing the land.
The Communities Tasmania June 2022 Housing Dashboard revealed there are 4453 applications on the Housing Register.
"The project will provide a home for people on the priority social housing register," Mr Wilson said.
"There will also be a number of the houses available for private purchase through the new My Home Shared Equity Program delivered by the Tasmanian State Government."
City Mission chief officer Steve Brown said the foundations and retaining walls were being built.
"We're very pleased to see the progress," he said.
Mr Brown said they are not expecting any more delays and houses are expected to be inhabited by June 2023.
Centacare Evolve Housing chief officer Ben Wilson said costs increased by 10 percent after the council refused their initial development application for a 24-unit social housing project in May 2020.
The council approved an amended application for 18 units later that year before their original decision was overturned by the Tasmanian Planning Commission in July 2021, giving a green light for the project to return to 24 units.
Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said councillors refused the application because they sought to provide the best planning outcome for disadvantaged members of the community in terms of density and open space provisions.
The project at 357-361 Hobart Road is a joint development with City Mission and CatholicCare. Centacare Evolve Housing will manage the facility on behalf of CatholicCare.
Mr Wilson said the project, which was not supported by council, had to go to the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
"The Commission overturned the council's concerns and the project has since progressed," Mr Wilson said.
"Building costs, particularly the cost of construction, has increased by 10 per cent due to the project being delayed through the council planning phase."
The overall cost of the build is approximately $6.4 million, in May 2020, the cost sat at $5 million.
Cr van Zetten said when sitting as a Planning Authority, the planning scheme requires councillors to exercise discretion on issues like density and open space.
He said these issues can be subjective and people may have different opinions and interpretations of the scheme.
"The Tasmanian Planning Commission formed a different view to the councillors in terms of these requirements," he said.
Regarding the increase in costs, Cr van Zetten said council understands that planning and construction costs are a challenge for businesses and they seek to expedite applications wherever possible.
At the time, then-councillor Janie Finlay said it was "confronting" when council couldn't support affordable housing due to issues with a development application.
"There is clearly a need for this housing stock in the community," she said.
Cr Finlay said it was "tough" but by making those decisions council were able to ensure better planning outcomes.
The project is partly funded by the Department of Communities Tasmania and Centacare Evolve Housing, with City Mission contributing the land.
The Communities Tasmania June 2022 Housing Dashboard revealed there are 4453 applications on the Housing Register.
"The project will provide a home for people on the priority social housing register," Mr Wilson said.
"There will also be a number of the houses available for private purchase through the new My Home Shared Equity Program delivered by the Tasmanian State Government."
City Mission chief officer Steve Brown said the foundations and retaining walls were being built.
"We're very pleased to see the progress," he said.
Mr Brown said they are not expecting any more delays and houses are expected to be inhabited by June 2023.
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