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