In a closed session, Clarence aldermen voted to change the council’s previous neutral attitude towards Lauderdale Quay to one of strong opposition to the project. They now fear, after four years of sitting on the fence, that the ambitious reclamation project could become a cost burden that would be borne by Eastern Shore ratepayers for years to come.
photo: The Ralphs Bay Conservation Area. © D. Jamrozik. From: Here
“To date the council’s concerns about a number of aspects of the development have not been allayed — indeed in some cases they have been compounded,” a confidential report sent by council to the Tasmanian Planning Commission on Wednesday declares.
“Council expresses alarm at the level of risk which Clarence ratepayers could be exposed to in regard to maintaining the canal infrastructure as a result of late (recent) changes to the proposal.
“Hence council cannot support the Lauderdale Quay project unless it is satisfied that the community of Clarence is not exposed to unacceptable and/or unquantified risks and any consequential costs.”
Clarence Council previously declared itself neither a supporter nor an opponent of the plan to build nine islands and a marina on the mudflats.The Save Ralphs Bay protest group last night greeted the backflip with delight.
Save Ralphs Bay spokeswoman Jane MacDonald said her organisation had been warning the State Government and Clarence Council for months about the way risks had been played down.
Last night Walker Corp said it had not introduced last-minute changes to the project as the council claimed, or failed to address key governance and liability issues.
What Save Ralphs Bay says: Here
