The REGENT SQUARE MASTER PLAN 2007 was prepared by Dr Andras Kelly and was commissioned as part of the Memorial Hall and Surrounds Re-Development.
From the Minutes of the George Town Council Meeting held on 20 Feb 2008 – Page 71 we read:
61/08 REGENT SQUARE MASTER PLAN - DECISION:
Moved: Cr Barwick / Cr Cory That Council receive the Regent Square Master Plan and seek community feedback on this plan in accordance with Council's Community Consultation Policy and that a public meeting be held.
MOTION CARRIED For: Crs Barwick, Broomhall, Burt, Cory, Geale, Parish, Wallace, Widdowson
Read the full Minutes: http://www.georgetown.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/080220__Minutes.pdf
The Regent Square Master Plan was the subject of community submissions in early 2008
and the Regent Square Master Plan Public Meeting held on Monday, 21 April 2008.
The Memorial Hall and Site and Zone Plan attachment gives a very clear picture of the parking area to the west of the hall that was to provide 48 of the extra 120 parking bays required by the extensions - all of them appear to be beyond the 50 yd (42.43m) 'resumption' from the Public Recreation Reserve from 1935!
THIS IS THE SECOND LANDSCAPE PLAN COMMISSIONED FOR REGENT SQUARE BY OUR COUNCIL SINCE 1999!
The almost 100 pages of the GEORGE TOWN CENTRAL AREA STRATEGY was commissioned by Council in 1999.
NEITHER REPORT CONSIDERS PUTTING MORE BUILDINGS ON REGENT SQUARE!
From the 2007 Landscape Plan:
"Regent Square represents the most significant area of open space within the Centre (of George Town), and provides a venue for community gatherings and recreation. The Square has significant potential to provide a landmark, or signature space, which defines the character of George Town and values of its community.
The newly extended Memorial Hall with its impressive, modern architecture and the existing, basic layout of the park established a pattern for development. It is not the intention of the landscape guides to create a "clean slate" and to start with a totally new design of Regent Square. The design guidelines intend to build on the existing good features of the park, and allow for the positive development of the park over a considerable time. Trees take a long time to grow and mature and one needs to respect those which have already reached successfully the mature stage."
During the process of the "Civic Amendment" last year, which paved the way for the current Hub Development Application, the Education Dept's Project Manager, Claire Gregg 'ruled immaterial' any evidence given by representors based on both the 1999 GEORGE TOWN CENTRAL AREA STRATEGY and the 2007 REGENT SQUARE MASTER PLAN because, although she had referred to them herself, she stated neither report had been formally adopted by Council.
IF not adopted, WHY not? HOW MUCH HAVE THESE REPORTS COST OUR COMMUNITY?
It is obvious that the large and comprehensive 1999 report HAS been referred to when we look at what's been done in our Central area since then.
Whose responsibility is it to make sure these costly reports are dealt with by Council in the appropriate manner?
And that all Ratepayers' money is used wisely and responsibly?
"Friends of Regent Square"
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