Controversial car park gets new $60m proposal after Federal Court decision

DECEMBER 2 2021 - 4:30AM 

Controversial car park gets new $60m proposal after Federal Court decision 

Nick Clark

An artist impression of a proposed five level building at the Paterson Street Central car park. An artist impression of a proposed five level building at the Paterson Street Central car park. A $60 million investment project for the Paterson Street Central car park has been lodged with the City of Launceston council by owners Don and Janet Allen. 

Car Parks Super director Don Allen lodged the development application just days after a Federal Court judge dismissed a claim by Creative Property Holdings that a sale contract for the car park be enforced............................. CPH, which proposed a $90 million Creative Precinct on the site, is looking at alternative sites. Federal and State Governments committed about $23 million to the proposal. ............................ Mr Allen said the mixed use development would comprise five levels on the site adjacent to the former Birchalls store and present Myer store. ............................ The proposed development would include retail shops on the ground level, three levels of public car parking of about 234 spaces and a roof top level featuring eight, three-bedroom residential apartments. ............................ The Paterson St Central car park site at 41-43 Paterson St is the subject of a new development proposal The Paterson St Central car park site at 41-43 Paterson St is the subject of a new development proposal ............................ Car Parks Super received approval for a similar development in 2007 and the proposal has been updated by ARTAS Architects. ............................ Mr Allen said he was pleased to be able to proceed with the development to the benefit of shoppers and retailers after the Federal Court of Australia decision............................. "This development will expand the very popular car park and strengthen the retail and commercial heart of the city through a civically responsible development," he said. ............................ He said that it was intended that future progressive conversion of upper parking levels to other uses could be made if car parking facilities were no longer necessary. ............................ "There will be re-charging facilities for electric cars while they park, solar energy collection panels for the apartments and stormwater collected for their garden watering systems," he said. ............................ Mr Allen said he had received support from property owners and retailers as well as having been recognised as a Key City Project by the City of Launceston's Council's Consultants, Ratio Consultants in the Central Development Strategy.

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MEDIA RELEASE Exciting Development for Central Launceston Unveiled

CAR PARKS SUPER PTY LTD ACN 607 566 094 ATF THE ALLEN FAMILY SUPERANNUATION FUND P.O Box 32 HAGLEY TAS 7292 Tel. 0418 376 276 

M e d I a  r e l e a s e  Issued Dec 1, 2021 

Exciting Development for Central Launceston Unveiled

Directors Don and Janet Allen are lodging a Development Application with City of Launceston Council for a 5 Level Mixed Use Development above their present Launceston PATERSON STREET CENTRAL CARPARK (fronting Paterson St and behind Myer and the old Birchalls shops)

This is an up-dated version of a previously - approved development, but will now as re-designed by local architects ARTAS of Launceston, comprise ‘active frontage’ retail shops at Ground Level, with

• three levels of public car parking above (totalling around 234 spaces), then 
• a roof-top level with 8 luxury 3-bedroom residential apartments capturing sunny views of the surrounding cityscape. 

In line with current public expectations, it is intended that the frame structure of the building and ceiling heights will allow future progressive conversion of upper parking levels to other uses (offices etc.) should carparking facilities of this nature and dimension no longer be necessary or viable; provide re-charging for electric cars whilst parking; entail solar energy collection panels for the apartments and collect stormwater for their garden watering systems. 

The lodgement of a new proposal follows a frustrating period in recent years for this local property owner, culminating in their successful fending-off of Creative Property Holdings Pty Ltd, who were keen to acquire the development rights to the land in league with Launceston Council following Council’s controversial purchase of the old Birchalls shops. 

These shops continue to remain empty although fronting Brisbane Street Mall. Last week, CPH resoundingly lost their action seeking to take over the present car park in a decision handed down by the Australian Federal Court. 

Mr. Allen said “he was pleased to now be in a position to progress his long – intended plans to expand this very popular car park and benefit shoppers and retailers in the area, strengthening the retail and commercial heart of the city and by proposing a civically responsible development.” 

The development is supported by property owners and retailers as well as having been recognized as a Key City Project by Council’s Consultants, Ratio Consultants P/L in the Central Development Strategy being part of Launceston Liveability, that would maximise the utility of all-weather parking resources for shoppers and visitors, encouraging retail expansion, residential apartments and much-needed toilet and baby-change facilities accessed via existing pedestrian linkages to/from the Mall. 

The project has been given an inspiring ‘tick of endorsement’ by respected expert Robert Cotgrove, a retired Tasmanian UTAS lecturer, who has spent his professional life as an urban geographer and transport economist, interests that he has continued into retirement. 

“I consider Don Allen's proposed development ought to be given approval by LCC. It not only provides valuable off-street parking, a scarce resource in Launceston's CBD, but its capacity of over [230] cars would provide accessibility not only to the retail establishments of the building but to other commercial enterprises in the area.

” Footnote: Robert D M (Bob) Cotgrove, Fellow Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, Life Member Aust. Inst. of Geographers, Member Economic Society of Aust. BA with Hons (Geography), Master of Transport Economics, Master of Science (Economics) University College London, Bachelor of Dementia Care. 

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