Swansea, a tiny town nestled on Tasmania’s iconic East Coast, is under threat from an incomprehensible development so unsuited to the region that longstanding planning rules need to be changed so it can be approved.
If this application is approved and the proposed development then goes ahead, the East Coast will have a broken heart, the agricultural heart, the social and environmental heart, and the stunning uniqueness we have will be lost.
We need to make sure any development, public or private, prioritises Tasmanians, while still providing a great experience for Tasmanians and tourists.
TRUE tourism is when the visitor experiences the life and the environment of the locals. Tasmania’s attraction is being Tasmania; in other words, being unique.
Our lifestyle, our small population, our history, the scenery, quality of product, our distinctiveness is what attracts people to our beautiful island.
On April 24, 2018 a planning scheme amendment called a Specific Area Plan (SAP) was applied for by Cambria Green Agriculture and Tourism Management Pty Ltd, with a supporting “concept” masterplan of the proposed development of Cambria Green.
The Glamorgan Spring Bay Council (GSBC) initiated this application, therefore allowing for a public consultation period of 42 days, in this case
Submissions to Council closed on 14 June. A total of 623 submissions were received by Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, around 98% of these were AGAINST the Cambria Draft Amendment and many of these were detailed, informed representations from individuals and significant state and national organisations.
The council planning department then had to address all the representations and report their final decisions and recommendations about the application in what is called a Section 39 report.
On November 27 2018 the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council voted to support sending the Section 39 report as presented with NO amendments to the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC), for the Commission to have a series of hearings in order to then make their independent and expert decision.
A public Directions Hearing was held by the Commission on 14 December to assess the key issues, set process and determine what needs to be done for the final hearing. At the meeting the panel of three Commissioners acknowledged the significant number of concerns and issues about the Cambria Draft Amendment raised by representors in their submissions.
The most significant areas of concern identified by the Commissioners as relevant for their consideration and assessment included:
• agricultural land rezoning,
• conflicts with the State Coastal Policy (for example, the proposed golf course),
• conflicts with the Southern Tasmanian Regional Land Use Strategy through a new settlement and activity centres outside Swansea,
• inadequately addressed heritage conservation plan for the historic Cambria homestead, garden and surrounding landscape,
• environmental concerns,
• roads and transport (lack of detail and the use of traffic data dating from 2012 prevented State Roads from providing an adequate response),
• water and irrigation,
• lack of clarity on the recommended potential for subdivision and residential development.
The Commissioners noted the current lack of detail from the proponents meant many concerns relating directly to the potential development could not be adequately assessed.
What happens now?
The Commission has granted the proponent’s request for an extension from February 1, 2019 until close of business, on or before Friday, 8 March 2019, to submit further information and submissions, as outlined in the directions hearing on December 14, 2019.
As a result of the granting of this extension, the Commission requests that the planning authority and representors provide any further submissions or proof of evidence by close of business, on or before Monday, 8 April 2019.
What can you do to help?
The East Coast Alliance (ECA) was formed by a small group of community volunteers concerned about the potential impacts of the Cambria Green Specific Area Plan and Masterplan. The ECA is not opposed to, and supports, appropriate, reasonable and sustainable development.
The ECA is now focused on presenting a strong case against the Cambria Green Draft Amendment and proposed development to the independent Commission for a final decision.
That means we need your help more than ever to ensure our campaign against the Cambria Green Specific Area Plan proposed rezoning is strong, professional and effective.
We must present a powerful, informed case to the Tasmanian Planning Commission. To do this, it’s critical we have the best possible advice and representation:
• Our planners will prepare and present all further submissions and information we may need by 8 April 2019, in response to the proponent’s further information and submissions.
• Our planners, ERA Planning, will represent the East Coast Alliance, which will require them to appear on our behalf for up to 5 days (or more) at the Commission’s main hearings in 2019 (dates to be confirmed)
• To further strengthen our case, our planners have advised we need to engage several other professionals with expertise in key fields to provide expert evidence relating to the Cambria Green proposal.
• We may also require legal representation.
Write to Tasmanian members of Parliament
Here’s how you can help us continue to raise concerns about the Cambria Green SAP with decision-makers. Now is the time to write to State MPs expressing your concerns about the potential impact of this mega-development should the draft SAP be approved.
You can have a huge impact by sending a message to politicians. The more letters and emails they receive, the more they must listen and respond to the community.
We’ve put together some information to assist: http://eastcoastalliance.com.au/help/
Anne Held
