Contentious hotel development approved for Hobart's eastern shore
The development will bring "significant economic development to the local area," the company says. (Chambroad Australia)
In short:
The Tasmanian Planning Commission has approved plans to build a contentious hotel development on Hobart's eastern shore.
Chinese developer Chambroad wants to build a 155-room, five-star hotel at Kangaroo Bay at Bellerive.
What's next?
The project has faced multiple delays and community opposition, with the local council last year voting to buy back the land, a process that's currently before the Supreme Court.
A contentious hotel project that has angered community members and divided the local council has been given the green light by Tasmania's planning commission.
Chinese developer Chambroad wants to build the 155-room Kangaroo Bay Hotel at Bellerive on Hobart's eastern shore.
The $65 million project will include accommodation, as well as a range of restaurants and bars, a wellness centre, meeting and function facilities, and new pedestrian and cycleways.
"Our iconic 5-star hotel at Kangaroo Bay will activate the bay and bring jobs and significant economic development to the local area," the company's website says.
A concept image of the Kangaroo Bay development. (Chambroad Australia)
The project was officially declared a major project by the Tasmanian government on October 16, 2024, which meant the proposal needed to be assessed by an independent expert panel appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
Chambroad project director, Greg Hudson, said the hotel is designed to become a premier tourism and hospitality destination.
"This landmark development will deliver a world-class waterfront destination featuring a 155-room hotel, restaurants, bars, function facilities and publicly accessible open space," he said.
"It will improve foreshore connections from Rosny to Bellerive Village, further strengthening greater Hobart's premium tourism and hospitality offering."
The development will include accommodation, restaurants and bars, a wellness centre, meeting and function facilities and new pedestrian and cycleways, the company says. (Chambroad Australia)
Clarence City Council mayor Brendan Blomeley has previously said the project is the "wrong decision" for the area and the council remains committed to buying the Kangaroo Bay land back.
"We will buy that land back from Chambroad," Mr Blomeley told 936 ABC Hobart Mornings in September last year.
"We'll return it to public ownership and then we'll engage with our community as to what will go there into the future."
Kangaroo Bay is home to a small marina. (ABC News: Scott Ross)
Mr Hudson said Chambroad Australia has called on the soon-to-be-elected Clarence City councillors to reconsider their litigation by attempting to buy back the land.
"We invite the new councillors to sit down and enter into a constructive dialogue to resolve their litigation and clear the way for construction to commence," he said.
Developers at Chambroad have been trying to get the five-star hotel off the ground since purchasing the land for $2.44 million in 2017.
There has been long-running opposition to the development at the site. (Facebook: Alderman Beth Warren)
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