Download pdf version at:
www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/SRBBTETMedia16Oct09.pdf

“That’s three more nails in the canal estate proposal’s coffin”, said Save Ralphs Bay spokeswoman, Jane MacDonald. In a new development yesterday, ALL THREE MAYORS of Clarence, Hobart and Kingborough have revealed they do not support the proposed Ralphs Bay canal estate.

Lord Mayor of Hobart, Rob Valentine, stated,

“I personally oppose it. I believe the value of the tidal flats to the shore birds is high, given it is their foraging habitat. There are also risks associated with rising sea levels.”

Kingborough Mayor Graham Bury said,

“I am opposed to Canal development where ever it may be proposed in Tasmania.”

Jock Campbell, Mayor of Clarence City Council said,

“In my role as the principal spokesperson of the Council I am obliged to communicate the Council adopted view in respect to the Lauderdale Quay proposal in Ralphs Bay. The Council recently submitted a further paper to the Tasmanian Planning Commission; this has been published on the Commission’s website and also appears on the Save Ralph’s Bay website.
I personally supported the Council’s submission because of uncertainty over the potential environmental and management risks posed by the project which could impose a financial burden on the Clarence community.”

[The Council submission stated, “Council expresses alarm at the level of risk which Clarence ratepayers could be exposed to in regard to the cost of maintaining the canal infrastructure… 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.”]

In regard to a state-wide ban, the Lord Mayor of Hobart said,

“I would support a state-wide ban on canal estates being seriously investigated. If it were to happen it would need to happen through an act of Parliament I expect, to make the implementation of it simpler. There would not appear to be much merit in canal estates on the face of it and I cannot imagine where they could be built without impacting unduly on the environment.”

In response to Question 8 of the survey, ‘Do you support a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of Marine Protected Areas in Tasmania to protect marine biodiversity?’ Lord Mayor Rob Valentine responded,

“Absolutely. Once it’s gone it’s difficult to re-invigorate. It can also be a tourist drawcard as well as essential to science and the environment.”

Thirty four of the forty four candidates for election to Clarence, Hobart and Kingborough Councils have now returned responses to the joint Save Ralphs Bay, Birds Tasmania and Environment Tasmania survey. Only one of these 34 candidates has indicated support for the Ralphs Bay canal estate, and this was, ‘subject to approval.’ Twenty seven oppose the canal estate, and only two were unsure. Two did not answer this question.

The candidates’ responses indicate widespread support for a ban on canal estates in Council Planning Schemes or at the state level. Only two candidates oppose a statewide ban on canal estates in Tasmania. None of the candidates oppose a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of Marine Protected Areas in Tasmania to protect marine biodiversity, and 27 support the creation of such MPA’s.

Full survey results can be viewed by clicking on this link:
http://srb.pmhclients.com/index.php/common/questionnaire/

Jane MacDonald, Save Ralphs Bay,

Eric Woehler, Birds Tasmania,

Simon Branigan, Environment Tasmania, 0409 087 278

— Save Ralphs Bay Inc. : www.SaveRalphsBay.org —
ave Ralphs Bay, Birds Tasmania