Red Awnings Hobart
Red Heritage Hobart Tasmania
Is public opinion going to become the custodian of Tasmania’s Heritage? Well, with the sea of media interest surrounding the very public Red Awnings debate, a closer look at the impact of the media shows that this could be a possibility. After a few minutes on Google the following was revealed. Type in ‘Red Awnings Hobart’ and you get 4,750 results, not including Facebook’s “Save the Red Awnings” site with 2,670 fans.
Then there was the “Save the Red Awnings” support rally outside of parliament house under the banner of Supporting Life Liberty & Beauty in Hobart that saw supporters carrying red balloons and symbolic red umbrellas. The rally was attended by Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings who personally likes the red awnings and although a passionate supporter of Tasmanian heritage she thought that in this instance the Heritage Council had got it wrong.
So what has ruffled the Hobartians feathers so much and created such a media frenzy? Well it’s all about the heritage listed former Saving Bank of Tasmania at 26 Murray Street Hobart. Originally being built to accommodate the Hobart Town Bank, latter becoming the Hobart Savings Bank then the Savings Bank of Tasmania. The building is over three storey high complete with basement and is regarded as a remarkable example of Mid – Victorian Regency architecture. The former bank has heritage listed buildings either side and stands across the Murray from the iconic Old Treasury building. There is no doubt that this local precinct of heritage buildings has a strong influence on Hobart’s historical architectural streetscape.
Problems surfaced for the owners when they installed the red awnings without Tasmanian Heritage Council approval and subsequent to their installation were ruled to be removed by the Heritage Council as they executed their mandate, causing mixed reviews in the public domain. Subsequent to the Tasmanian Heritage Councils decision the matter then proceeded to the Hobart City Councils Development and Environmental Services Committee who moved that the red awnings should remain despite council planning officers recommending their removal.
So what we can now reflect on is that the decision as to whether the awnings are in fact compatible with the building’s heritage values in Murray Street appears to be based on Populist opinion, or so it seems.
Tagged: heritage buildings tasmania, heritage properties, heritage tasmania, hobart, red awnings, red awnings hobart