4 Garth Avenue Sandy Bay Tas 7005

Swim Spa

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We found this application for you on the planning authority's website ago. It was received by them earlier.

(Source: Hobart City Council, reference 19-59)

1 Comment

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  1. David Gardiner commented

    1. The installation of the spa has led to significant changes to its surroundings which have caused the occupants of the adjacent property considerable dismay. The new raised rear garden landscaping surrounding the spa has effectively raised our neighbours’ patio level by about a metre. A plinth comprising new earthworks and a retaining wall to support the spa (already installed and in use) has added an additional metre. The top of the spa which now sits on the plinth adds a further metre. There is a newly raised, flat area of astro-turfed recreational space at the same height as the base of the spa, and close to it, which at one point is barely 30cms lower than our boundary fence. The top of the spa is very significantly higher than the boundary fence. We understand the original plan was to instal a traditional fire pit on or near the recreational space. This idea may have been modified in favour of a gas fire pit on the recreational space - or it may have been simply abandoned. At any event, the newly raised patio, the spa and the new astro-turf area all overlook us to a far greater extent than we could have imagined. The increased elevation of these new areas has not led to an increase in the height of the (now completely inadequate) fence. The addition of screening shrubs will hardly provide even a fraction of the privacy we previously enjoyed.

    2. The location and orientation of the spa on top of newly raised foundations and the newly raised recreational space pose another concern for us. The new spa is large, above ground and the top of it is about 5 metres higher than our ground level situated just a few metres away. These changes not only seriously compromises our privacy; the size of the spa poses a significant risk factor for us in the event of catastrophic failure of either the spa or it’s supporting base. We do not suggest the work has been badly carried out. Nonetheless it is emphasised the spa is very large, its fully loaded weight is perhaps 4 - 5 metric tonnes - and it is free standing on a newly constructed elevated plinth.

    3. Our concerns previously raised with Council were not only about the impact on our privacy and the risk of placing such a heavy spa on newly elevated groundwork. Both our neighbour’s property and our own are subject to a cautionary geotechnical report and restrictive covenant with Council. This may or may not have been breached. At any event the existence of such a covenant does suggest that there are concerns about the stability of the land on which our two properties are located. While the risk in regard to previous construction is not regarded in the report as high, there is a cautionary warning about major new earthworks being carried out which do not comply.

    4. We have no desire to be unreasonable about any neighbours who wish to improve their homes by means of modifications to their properties. But equally, there should be consideration of the potentially significant impact on those nearby. There is a point beyond which some modifications become not only undesirable but unacceptable. For these reasons we object to the changes described.

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