100% agree. It's the crux of the whole height issue. Yarwood put forward a motion to increase building heights in certain precincts in 2008 (when he was a councillor), but the proposal got knocked back by full council.Burger wrote:At the risk of being the subject of much ire, how about we all target the real problem here, which is not the ACC as such - it's the Development Plan.
If the plan said the height limit was 100m (for arguments sake), then on what real and factual basis could they oppose it? Don't ask the umpire to ignore the rules, change them to achieve a more desired outcome. It's a bit simplistic..well okay, really simplistic, but if you want to prevent good development being hindered by stupid rules, change the rules.
This needs to urgently be put on the agenda again, and if council knock it back, the state govt should step in and take control and force through increased building heights. The state govt has a mandate to act in the best interests of the state, and I believe such a move would also have strong community support.
It wouldn't require a drastic re-writing of the Development Plan, just relaxation on height restrictions in the Central Business Area and Mixed Use zones (ie CBD area north of Gouger/Angas St thru to North Tce). Residpential zoning (south of Gouger/Angas) can remain as is.
Also, as its pointless in getting the DAP to make a recommendation to the DAC on buildings greater than $10M, why not replace them with an appointed Design Panel (under the IDC) on these major projects? They will without doubt have more useful suggestions to ensure a high quality design than the DAP. Such Design Panels are used successfully in many cities throughout the world.
