Development of the existing Home Hotel would see the building include shoptop living space. Photo: Supplied.
An approved development application for the former Home Hotel could set the precedent for future CBD developments.
Developers for the 142 Fitzmaurice Street property issued plans to add an additional three storeys to the former hotel. According to plans, the top four storeys of the property would accommodate 19 dwellings including three one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedroom apartments and eight three-bedroom apartments.
If built, the height of the property would pass the current maximum height restriction for Fitzmaurice Street by seven metres as the current limit sits at 16 metres.
Despite the current height restrictions, seven of eight councillors voted in favour of the development, with Councillor Jenny McKinnon being the only person opposing the plans during the 26 August meeting of Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC).
GPG Architecture representative and the architect responsible for the plans Gioia Gianniotis said at the meeting that the development would enable a new topology to the northern precinct of Wagga Wagga.
“The shoptop housing increases the value and the occupants of the CBD, resulting in a likely increase in local standing that supports the existing community and local business,” Ms Gianniotis said.
“We have worked on plans for the development of this site for an extensive period of time, which includes considerable engagement with council staff, council heritage advisers and other stakeholders to ensure the heritage component of this project is retained and enhanced with the new building.
“It anchors the project, ensures the protection of the past and provides housing opportunities for the future.”
The Home Hotel as it is today. Photo: Chris Roe
Outgoing councillor Rod Kendall highlighted the importance of the council’s decision about passing the development, stating that if approved, the development could lay the precedent for future CBD developments.
“What we are seeing from this development, is that the height restrictions that we currently have in place are inhibiting major development proposals,” Cr Kendall said.
“Going forward to the next council, there should be a consideration of changing the height restrictions within the CBD. We are seeing that the restrictions currently in place cannot and will not allow for the developments that WWCC has said it would like to see.
“The approval of this development will not just be the approval of 19 dwellings and the commercial space. It will, to a large extent, signal to other people looking at Wagga that with confidence, they can now plan to develop other business opportunities within the CBD.”
Six of Cr Kendall’s fellow councillors agreed with his sentiment, voting in favour of the development, with Cr McKinnon casting the only vote against the plans.
Cr McKinnon said she believed that plans to build red brick archways on both the Kincaid Street and Fitzmaurice Street sides of the property didn’t fall within sympathetic development of the existing building, which sits in the heritage conservation area.
“To my mind, I cannot see how the planned red brick arches don’t dominate the visual environment,” she said.
“As much as there is that I really like about this development, it’s just something I can’t support.”
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