Premier Gutwein provides foreign investors a fast track pathway without having to identify themselves or where their money comes from

Media Release

Friday 15 May 2020

With the submission period closing today on the Draft Major Projects Bill, the Tasmanian Conservation Trust says that the legislation has caused unprecedented public opposition, despite the current crisis, with thousands of submissions pouring in.

The TCT Director Peter McGlone said “We have received 1100 submissions via our website and together with other groups we anticipate more than 2000 submissions all opposing this undemocratic legislation”.

“The planning system and our very democracy are at a crossroads today.

“The Premier Peter Gutwein has a decision to make, he can proceed with this legislation and remove any sense of fairness and balance in planning decisions. The community will be cut out of having a meaningful say and developers given a special fast-track process.

Instead the Premier Gutwein can abandon this legislation and stand up for democracy and the vital checks and balances in our planning system.”

The TCT’s main concerns regarding the Major Projects Bill are that:

·        Under the proposed legislation the local community loses its right to appeal against major project approvals and has no meaningful input to the assessment process.

·        Elected local councillors have no say over the approval of a major project that affects their community.

·        The independent Tasmanian Planning Commission is sidelined which means that planning scheme changes can be forced on local councils and communities without proper oversight.

·        Foreign investors do not have to identify themselves or who their investors are.

“Although virtually any project could be taken through the major projects pathway, entirely at the minister’s whim, it is likely that the government will use it to remove any project from the normal planning process that has caused significant community opposition or has struggled to meet planning rules.”

“The projects that most impact local communities can be called in by the minister and local communities and councils have no say over them.”

Under the proposed legislation all controversial projects around Tasmania could be fast tracked including – Cambria Green on the east coast; the Fragrance skyscrapers in Hobart and Launceston; Lake Malbena helicopter proposal and other developments in the world heritage area; and cable cars proposed for Mt Wellington, Mt Roland and Cataract Gorge.

Late in the consultation process the TCT discovered that the government has inserted a clause in the legislation that could rescue the Cambria proponents from their current predicament. Cambria’s rezoning proposal was refused by the TPC when the proper landowner consent had not been provided and the project is in limbo awaiting a court challenge. But if Cambria was made a major project the owners would not need to provide landowner consent.

“This paths the way for overseas developers to get planning rules changed and invest in fast-tracked developments without the Tasmanian public every knowing who they are or where their money comes from”.

“The state government has not told the Tasmanian public that investors are being given this special protection and every Tasmanian should be shocked at this deception.”

“This is just one flaw that the TCT has identified in the Department of Justice’s extraordinary consultation process.”

“In 30 years of conservation work in Tasmania I have never seen such a misleading, selective, confusing and reactive consultation process on an important piece of legislation."

”It has resembled what I would expect from a minister’s spin doctor rather than supposedly objective departmental officers.”

“Most of the information that is actually helpful to explain the legislation in simple language only got released a few weeks before the closing date for submissions. The rest is filled with misleading and false statements about the legislation and community concerns about it.”

“This is not the right time for the Tasmanian community to be assessing and commenting on this complex, far reaching and poorly explained legislation. People have been understandably distracted and stressed dealing with the Coronavirus crisis. The government should suspend development of the legislation until the end of the crisis.”

Further information:

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406380545

CORONAVIRUS PROMPTS CALL FOR COMMUNITY CONSULTATION POSTPONEMENT ON MAJOR PROJECTS LEGISLATION & TASMANIAN PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW

MEDIA RELEASE – 23 MARCH 2020
 
With Tasmania’s State of Emergency declaration and new coronavirus rules constraining public meetings and other community gatherings, groups deeply concerned about major changes to Tasmania’s planning system are calling on Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein to extend community consultation periods and debate on the Bill until Tasmania’s Public Health Emergency declaration is lifted.
 
Community consultation on both the controversial ‘Major Projects’ Bill and reform of the Tasmanian Planning Commission is set to conclude on April 9, 2020. Groups engaging members and others in their communities have cancelled a rollout of five statewide public meetings due to public health concerns. Given the complex nature of the planning reforms proposed, these public meetings are essential to assist the community to fully understand the detail of what’s proposed and to have a meaningful say.
 
State Coordinator of the Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania (PMAT) Sophie Underwood said logic should prevail under these extraordinary circumstances. “As groups working with the community to facilitate engagement over these complex processes, we call on Premier Gutwein to postpone community consultation and delay the debate on the Bill until things return to normal,” Ms Underwood said.
 
A cross section of groups are united in their opposition to the Major Projects bill, seeing it as a power grab by the Gutwein government that will take planning decisions away from local councilors and local people. The review of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, happening in parallel with the Major Projects process, adds to community confusion and concerns about a political takeover of planning decisions.  
 
"Despite reassurances from government, the Westbury community remains concerned that the Government could seek to rely on this legislation to impose a prison on our community if the current planning process does not go its way," said Linda Poulton, spokesperson of Westbury Region Against the Prison (WRAP).
 
Jim Collier, Coordinator of Launceston Heritage Not Highrise said “The Government should remember we live in a democracy and it is important everyone is allowed to have their say! The Gorge Hotel, defeated through an Appeal by a Launceston business owner in the Planning Tribunal, could be approved through this legislation.”
 
“Hands Off Our Gorge believes the elected councilors of Launceston will make the right decision and reject the proposed Launceston Skyway gondola. With Major Projects legislation, this decision could be plucked from their hands and decided by a select panel, with no community right of appeal” said spokesperson Anna Povey.
 
"Regardless of the outcome of the current Supreme Court appeal, Cambria Green could still be declared a Major Project, taking it out of the planning system altogether,” said East Coast Alliance spokesperson Anne Held. “We believe this is inherently unfair and significantly limits the opportunity for communities to have a meaningful say."  
 
“This legislation must be stopped. It would allow ugly highrise towers, already refused, to be taken aside, fast-tracked, and approved,” said Brian Corr, President of Hobart Not Highrise.
 
“We are concerned that changes to planning legislation and review of the Tasmanian Planning Commission raise the specter of corruption in determining planning matters as experienced in other States,” said Alvaro Ascui from the Tasmanian Ratepayers Association.
 
"There is nothing in the so-called 'major projects' legislation that would stop it from fasttracking niche proposals like Lake Malbena,” said Tom Allen, spokesperson for The Wilderness Society. “This bill is a developer's dream but a nightmare for Tasmania's national parks and World Heritage wilderness.”
"Fishers and bushwalkers of Tasmania are deeply concerned about the breakdown in due process in Tasmania. In this uncertain time we call for the Major Projects Legislation to be scrapped to ease unnecessary concerns for Tasmanian's," said Dan Broun from Fishers and Walkers Against Helicopter Access.
 
With such concern about the profound change to the way development proposals are assessed in Tasmania, the groups believe it untenable for government to continue a public consultation process at the start of a declared public health emergency that mandates a limit to community engagement.
 
“Heritage Protection Society (Tasmania) Inc. calls on the Tasmanian Government to immediately suspend the progression of these changes, and for the time being reassure the community there will be no changes to the present system until ‘normality’ to our Tasmanian existence is restored,” said Lionel Morrell, President of the Heritage Protection Society.
 
“This legislation is a massive power grab by Peter Gutwein, giving the Minister unlimited power to take virtually any development away from Councils and out of the normal planning process. He can't be allowed to sneak these changes through unchallenged because of the current emergency," said Peter McGlone, Director of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust.
 
“Despite the ‘major projects’ title of this proposed legislation, the criteria are so broad that almost any project that the Minister thinks is a good idea could be declared a major project.  This could include minor but extremely intrusive proposals within our national parks, like Lake Malbena” said Nick Sawyer, President of the Tasmanian National Parks Association.
 
"The Major Projects Bill will significantly diminish the role of Local Government as a Planning Authority as well the Communities appeal rights including in relation to coastal development issues. Given the considerable changes proposed in the legislation and the current circumstances regarding the Coronavirus any further consideration of the Bill should be paused," said Todd Dudley, president of the North East Bioregional Network.
 
“Remembering the thousands of people who rallied against the cable car in 2018, it’s clear there’s great public opposition to controversial developments and how they could be assessed. The Public Health Emergency has thwarted plans to hold public meetings and this will constrain people’s ability to get the information they need to be able to participate in a credible consultation process. Premier Gutwein should do what’s fair and delay consultation until the health emergency is over,” concluded Vica Bayley, spokesperson for Residents Opposed to the Cable Car.
 
Read the Environmental Defenders Office Fact Sheet on the Tasmanian Draft Major Projects Bill here.  
 
 
For comment:
 
Sophie Underwood- Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania - 0407 501 999 Linda Poulton- Westbury Region Against the Prison -  0425 807 716 Jim Collier- Launceston Heritage Not Highrise -   0424 009 598 Anna Povey- Hands Off Our Gorge -      0498 800 611 Anne Held- East Coast Alliance -     0417 946 585 Brian Corr-  Hobart Not Highrise -     0417 979 989 Alvaro Ascui- Tasmanian Ratepayers Association -  0418 993 743 Tom Allen- The Wilderness Society -      0434 614 323 Peter McGlone- Tasmanian Conservation Trust -   0406 380 545 Vica Bayley- Residents Opposed to the Cable Car -  0400 644 939 Eric Woehler - Birdlife Tasmania -      0438 204 565 Todd Duddley - North East Bioregional Network -    0448 009 738 Nick Sawyer - Tasmanian National Parks Association -   0414 718 831 Lionel Morrell- Heritage Protection Society -    0428 137 050 Dan Broun – Fishers & Walkers Against Helicopter Access -  0400 578 54

STATE GOVERNMENT FAILS TO ACT TO STOP ROAMING CATS

Media Release

14 November 2019

The state government yesterday tabled amendments to the Cat Management Act 2009 but it has failed to propose changes to stop roaming owned cats.

The TCT Director Peter McGlone said "The state government is intent on allowing owned cats to freely roam to kill and injure wildlife, spread disease to stock and to be a nuisance to neighbours."

"Owned cats that are allowed to roam freely devastate native wildlife just as effectively as feral acts."

"A lot of people say to us that pet cats should be treated the same as dogs and we agree."

"It is an offence for a pet dog to roam off the owner’s property or be in a public place and not under effective control - and the owners can face hefty penalties if the dog is caught. Cats should be treated the same."

"There will always be a minority of cat owners who will not voluntarily contain their cat and we need laws that can punish them with a hefty fine for doing so."

"The government's inaction will handicap community cat trapping and cat rescue programs by making community volunteers responsible for returning roaming cats to their owners. If cat owners don't take responsibility for containing their cats they should be fined".

The government's legislation will be debated when parliament resumes in two weeks time and the TCT urges all concerned people to sign our petition calling for roaming cats to be made an offence.

http://www.tasconservation.org.au/stop-roaming-cats

Further comment:
Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545

TCT launches petition calling for stronger laws to control roaming owned cats

Media release

 25 October 2019

The TCT today launched a petition calling for stronger laws to stop owned cats from being able to freely roam. The petition to the House of Assembly calls for the state government to amend the Cat Management Act to make it an offence for a cat to roam off the owner’s property and for there to be appropriate penalties.

In launching the petition, TCT Director Peter McGlone said ‘Cats are devastating Tasmanian native wildlife and many are owned pet cats that are allowed to roam uncontrolled.’

‘We need stronger laws to stop owned cats from roaming and attacking and killing our wildlife.’

 ‘A lot of people say to us that cats should be treated the same as dogs and we agree.’

‘It is an offence for a pet dog to roam off the owner’s property or be in a public place and not under effective control - and the owners can face hefty penalties if the dog is caught. Cats should be treated the same.’

The TCT said that the state government will soon be introducing a number of commendable amendments to the Cat Management Act but it is not proposing to act effectively on roaming cats.

The proposed changes to the Cat Management Act will only make it an offence for a cat to roam if it has not been desexed or microchipped and allows all other cats to roam uncontrolled. These provisions are only implemented if there is a cat holding facility in the area which is not the case in many regions of the state.

‘The government’s proposed approach may lead to more cats being desexed but it will not stop cats from wondering.’

‘It is not too late for the government to draft amendments addressing roaming owned cats.’

‘The reason given by the state government for not acting on roaming cats is it does not want to force all councils to police new rules. But legislation can be written to give a council discretion as to whether they enforce the new laws and that is what our petition calls for.’

The TCT urges all concerned Tasmanians to go to our web site and sign the petition: 

http://www.tasconservation.org.au/stop-roaming-cats  

The petition calls on the Minister Primary Industries and Water, Guy Barnett to propose amendments to the Cat Management Act that will:

• make it an offence for the owner of a cat to let it roam off their property or be in a public place while not under effective control (e.g. being on a lead or in a crate);

• provide a fine for owners of a cat found roaming or not under effective control that is similar to that applied to dogs and that harsher penalties apply for multiple, repeat or serious offences;

• allows a council to appoint an appropriately trained officer to enforce these provisions but councils are not compelled to do so.

Further comment:

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545

Record number of people opposes Rosny Hill development

Media Release

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust says that the controversial Rosny Hill tourism development has created a record for the most number of people making representations opposing a development in Clarence.

Yesterday afternoon the public comment period closed on the Rosny Hill tourism development. The TCT hand delivered 460 representations to Clarence City Council, all opposing the development, and in addition to those submitted directly to council the total will likely exceed 500.

The TCT Director Peter McGlone said that 'In my 28 years of experience in conservation I cannot recall this many people expressing their opposition to a development assessed by the Clarence City Council.'
'Most representations came from local residents who wrote personal comments about their love and enjoyment of Rosny Hill reserve and how the proposed development is too big and will destroy their enjoyment if it.'

"The main point raised by submissions is that the proposed development is just too large for the small Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area. The main complex of buildings including a hotel, cafe and restaurant is an incredible 185 metres in length, meaning it would not fit inside the Blundstone Arena in Bellerive.'

It is expected that the Council will be deciding on the application in the next month or two.

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406380545

Rosny Hill development - proponent hood winks community over development’s size and impact on bushland

The proponent of the Rosny Hill development is desperately trying to hoodwink local residents into accepting the proposal by claiming it will take up only 2 % of the Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area.

The TCT Director Peter McGlone said today that "The development will impact up to 23% of the reserve's area and the main complex of buildings is an incredible 185 metres in length."

"The 2% claim refers to the precise footprint of the main buildings i.e. the hotel, cafe, restaurant, accommodation pods. The developer has misleadingly failed to account for the 114 car parking spaces, other infrastructure and the massive fire hazard reduced area."

The TCT has calculated the true area of impact to be 23% of the reserve. While there will be some fragments of bushland remaining in this 23% it will be dissected with infrastructure and will be heavily degraded by construction activity and high visitor numbers. 

Another deception by the developer is its refusal to ever refer to how long the buildings will be.

"While the proponent likes to tell people the buildings will be largely underground and not protrude above the skyline, they don't tell people that the main complex of buildings is an incredible 185 metres in length, from the reception centre in the north to the public cafe in the south. Also, when the new car park and accommodation pods are included the entire development is an unbelievable 300 metres in length."

"To put the size of this development in perspective, the main building would not fit on Blundstone Arena. The entire development is longer than the longest side of the nearby Eastlands Shopping Centre at Rosny."

"However the developer wants to describe it, this development is just too big for the Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area.

"This massive development will not only require the clearing of large swathes of bushland, including an endangered orchid, it will also bring massive numbers of visitors that will increase traffic congestion and destroy the quiet nature of the reserve."

"Rosny Hill is already a traffic bottle neck and this development will add to it with 114 new car parking spaces and capacity for up to 500-600 people at any one time including lookout users."

"Rosny Hill was declared a Nature Recreation Area to protect its natural bushland and allow for recreation sympathetic to its natural setting. The development will destroy both the natural and the recreational value of the reserve."

"Locals who currently enjoy the quiet nature of the reserve will keep away from the pinnacle that will be crowded with hundreds of tourists. The developer is trying to embellish the value to residents with new tracks, but some tracks will go within metres of visitor's bedrooms, which will not please either locals or visitors."

Public comment on the proposed development closes next Monday 14 October at 5.00 pm.

Submissions can be made via the TCT's web site at:

http://www.tasconservation.org.au/save-rosny-hill  

Further comment

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545

Update on SKM stockpile at Derwent Park

I visited the SKM Recycling facility at Derwent Park yesterday afternoon, after earlier visiting it on 16 August. The photos above and below are from yesterday.

"In the ten days since I first visited SKM Recycling at Derwent Park the only thing that has changed is the stockpile of recyclables, mainly plastic containers, has grown larger. It is hard to imagine that the stockpile can be expanded further without causing an unacceptable fire hazard or having piles fall over, threatening workers.”

"The Tasmanian councils who have contracts with SKM need to inform their rate-payers immediately as to how many days or weeks until the SKM stops receiving recyclables at Derwent Park and what will happen then?”

"SKM receivers Korda Mentha has admitted there are massive stockpiles at SKM facilities in Melbourne and media reports estimate the total of all stockpiles to be 70,000 tones. The TCT believes these date back to last year and contain Tasmanian recyclables, in particular plastics.”

"Can Tasmanian councils inform rate-payers why their plastics have not been recycled since last year and why they have been paying a recycling fee for having plastics stockpiled??

"It is also notable that the stockpile at SKM is mainly plastic containers but also includes a lot of paper, card board, aluminium cans and even milk cartons."

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust
0406 380 545

The Local Government Association refers to this stockpile as plastic containers - I can see lots of paper, card board, a milk carton and possibly soft plastics: none of it being recyled.

Responding to Luke Martin

Letter to the editor
The Mercury

Luke Martin does not respond well to criticism of the tourism industry. His Talking Point article (Mercury 13 June 2019) responds to Charles Wooley's concern that Tasmanians may grow to hate tourists by saying that he and other critics would have different views if they just talked with tourism businesses to see the positive side.

https://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/talking-point-dont-be-turned-off-tourists-before-you-visit-the-towns-they-benefit/news-story/234ae8c4fad547eb8344d848bf548762

Only half way through the article did he respond to the criticisims by saying "No one is denying the concerns many Tasmanian's have about how tourism is being managed in some of our beloved sites". But he doesn't identify a single concern such as over crowding diminishing the experience of visitors and locals, impact of visitors on the environment and over sized tourism developments in national parks. It seems that he doesn't want to say how these problems will be addressed, other than to "invest heavily in visitor infrastructure especially in our natural areas". Ironically this infrastructure is one of the concerns people have.

The tourism industry relies heavily on publicly owned natural assets and the industry needs to mature to the point where they can acknowledge problems and talk with the community about how to address them.

Peter McGlone
Director
Tasmanian Conservation Trust