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Past Conversations
Conversations in the Cove is a series of free, informal discussions exploring themes and issues relating to the Hobart Waterfront.
Although set up in panel format, audience participation is encouraged as social commentators, urban designers, architects, historians and members of the public debate issues which resonate within our community. Entry is always free.
Conversations in the Cove is presented by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority. If you would like to be kept informed of future Conversations in the Cove, please contact the Authority.
Also see:
What's Happening at the Hobart Railyards?
(Conversations No 10: 17 April 2008)
Go straight to audio and slideshow downloads
What will happen to the Hobart Railyards when the site is no longer a transport depot? How do you undertake urban planning for such a large site, develop a cohesive development strategy and make sure it fits in with the rest of Hobart, especially Sullivans Cove and the CBD?
Tony Caro, lead consultant, Hobart Railyards Project
Co-winner, Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition – Tony presented an informed view of the Hobart Railyards Project, one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Tasmania, with an emphasis on urban design and strategic planning.
Helen Lochhead
Assistant Government Architect, NSW – Helen is internationally recognised for her work on numerous large-scale redevelopment projects, including Sydney’s Olympic precinct, and is Chair of the Peer Review Panel for the Hobart Railyards Project.
Ian Gibson
Project Deputy Director, New Royal Project.
Michael Wright
Principal, Spackman and Mossop Urban Design – Michael has worked extensively throughout Australia and the USA across a diverse range of projects, including coastal and inland national parks, urban parks and waterways. He specialises in public policy; site and infrastructure planning and design; resource management; visual assessment and cultural landscape management.
Also see:
Downloads
Audio files of this event, plus the slideshow presentations, are now available to download. Please note that these files are generally large in size and are most suited for download over a broadband internet connection. If you experience any problems with downloads or your internet access is slow, please contact us and we will arrange a CD version to be made available.
The audio (.m4v) files below require the free Quicktime Player. If Quicktime is installed, these files can be opened online by simply clicking the link, or downloaded (recommended for slow internet connections) by 'right-clicking' (Windows) and selecting 'Save Target As', or 'ctrl+clicking' (Mac) and selecting 'Save Link'.
Introduction + first presenter: Helen Lochhead
Second presenter: Ian Gibson
Third presenter: Tony Caro
Panel discussion
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To Tree or Not To Tree
(Conversations No 9: 22 November 2007)
To Tree or Not to Tree: Do We Really Need More Greenery on the Waterfront? was an entertaining and informative forum to discuss whether Hobart would be better off with more greenery on the waterfront.
Speakers included:
- Richard Blythe - architect
- Barry McNeil - urban designer and educator
- Peter Brenner - advocate for liveable cities
- Aaron Roberts - entrant, Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition
- Plus aborists, town planners, and heritage and environmental consultants.
The event was hosted by Andy Muirhead from ABC TV & Radio.
Audio files of the forum are now available to download. Please go to our multimedia library web page.
Esa Laaksonen on 'Alvar Aalto's Total Work of Art: Maison Louis Carre in Bazoches, France'
(Special Event: 19 October 2007)
The work of modernist Finnish architect Alvar Aalto has influenced generations of thinkers and designers. Today his legacy is advanced by the Alvar Aalto Academy in Helsinki , headed by internationally respected cultural commentator and prize-winning architect Esa Laaksonen.
In his first visit to Tasmania , Mr Laaksonen delivered a thought-provoking lecture about the key roles of architecture and design in shaping modern cities and society.
His focus was on the Maison Louis Carré in Bazoches-sur-Guyonnes, an Aalto-designed residence built in France in 1956, recently purchased by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and now open to the public.
Mr Laaksonen’s visit will enhance dialogue between places at the 'creative edges' of our globe – Finland in the north, and Tasmania in the south.
This event was presented jointly by the University of Tasmania and the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.
Harbouring Design - Reclaiming Margins in Port Cities
(Conversation No 8: 26 April 2007)
Tasmanian architect and urban design consultant Leigh Woolley, who is also a member of the Sullivans Cove Design Panel, presented 'Harbouring Design - Reclaiming Margins in Port Cities'
Leigh used Hobart as both a reference and case study to consider the place and design of other cities. Of particular interest to Leigh are port cities with challenging topographies.
In a wide-ranging, illustrated and thoughtful presentation, Leigh compared Genoa (Italy), Oslo (Norway) and Hobart to consider what unites them, despite differences in history, size and population.
This talk was based on a presentation made recently by Leigh to the annual conference of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), a professional association that works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world.
A panel discussion took place following Leigh's presentation. The panel comprised Leigh Woolley, Sandra Hogue (Sullivans Cove Design Panel) and Jeppe Aagaard Andersen (Co-winner, Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition).
At the end of the panel discussion, Jeppe suggested some web links for further information for those interested. These links are:
See what they want to do to our waterfront
(Conversation No 7: 6 February 2007)
Representatives from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia took a close look at some of the ideas proposed by entrants in the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition.
The event coincided with the exhibition of competition entries being held at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery from 26 January to 18 February 2007.
For more information about the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition, including viewing all the entries and adding your comments, please visit the competition web site at www.hwidc.tas.gov.au.
Are young people welcome in Tasmania’s public space?
(Conversation No 6: 11 October 2006)
About 70 people attended Conversations in the Cove on 11 October 2006 to discuss the topic, ‘ Are young people welcome in Tasmania’s public space?’
In order to attract a greater number of young people, this event was a joint production between the Authority and two youth-focused organisations, Is Theatre and Solid Orange Productions.
The producers showed video segments from three walks of life – street life, arts life and night life – and a moderator asked provocative questions to encourage debate between the audience and guest speakers from sectors such as land owners, nightclub operators, the arts community, local government and residents.
View the videos produced for this event by going to the multimedia library.
Major talking points were:
- Young people’s activities and alienation: skateboarding, graffiti, drinking on the lawns of Salamanca
- Public toilets: lack of facilities, lack of cleanliness, HCC responsibility or not?, safety & security issues, financial issues
- Transport issues
- Appreciation and impact of the arts sector and creative community (‘working with artists’)
- Importance of live music
- Need to understand empty spaces
- Safety and violence issues (but how to retain the edginess)
- Seeking a balance between concrete and glass.
Production Credits
A sincere thank you to those who helped produce this event, including:
- Ryk Goddard, director and host
- Sandi Rapson & Caleb Doherty, film-makers, Solid Orange Productions
- Jason James, production manager
- Nick Van Der Meer, stage manager
- All staff from Is Theatre.
Urban Design Challenges Facing Sullivans Cove
(Conversation No 5: 22 June 2006)
Change’ is a small word with big implications for many people. Rather than fearing change, however, urban designer Barrie Shelton says it is essential for cities to continually evolve if they want to remain vibrant and attractive places to live and work.
Download the print-friendly PDF slideshow of Barrie Shelton's presentation below.
For faster connection speeds, download the presentation as a single PDF file (33 slides, 3 mb).
For slower connection speeds, download the presentation in four separate parts:
Beneath the Still Waters: Connecting with Tasmania's Deep History in Sullivans Cove
(Conversation No 4: 2 March 2006)
Download the presenters' speaking notes (print-friendly PDF, 850kb, 14 pages, 1 map, several colour images).
Headlines and Heroes: Stories of our Waterfront
(Conversation No 3: 10 November 2005)
- Garry Bailey, Editor, The Mercury
Download the print-friendly PDF transcript, featuring Garry Bailey's slideshow as 4 images per page (19 pages, 1 mb).
Also available a print-friendly PDF version of the slideshow at a higher resolution for faster connection speeds (29 pages, 3.5 mb).
Touching the Water
(Conversation No 2: 29 September 2005)
- Perry Lethlean: leading contemporary urban designer and landscape architect (Principal, Taylor Cullity Lethlean)
- Professor Peter Elliott: Head of the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority Design Panel and Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture & Design, RMIT University
- Jeff Gilmore: Chief Executive, Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.
Download the print-friendly PDF transcript (13 pages).
The Nature of Good Contemporary Design
Conversation No 1: 4 August 2005)
- Professor Peter Elliott:
Head of the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority Design Panel and Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture & Design, RMIT University
- Leigh Woolley:
Member of the Design Panel for the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority and Principal, Leigh Woolley Architect + Urban Design Consultant, Tasmania
- Robert Heazlewood: Executive Director, Brand Tasmania Council Inc.
Download the print-friendly PDF transcript (16 pages).
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