State Government Department puts 40 jobs at risk!

. Housing Department uses planning scheme technicality to close a small business

. Government requires developer to buy land from one government department in order to give it to another.

. Is this what small business can expect from the so called planning reforms?

Clarence Council’s attempt to assist a small business to correct a zoning anomaly has been thwarted by the Housing Department who successfully objected to the Tasmanian Planning Commission by claiming that Gordons Hill Road is the boundary of the Rosny Park CBD. This is despite service stations, shops, a podiatrist and veterinary clinic all operating on the eastern side. The majority of neighbours and Clarence Council supported the re-zoning – only Housing Services objected.

If the TPC does not reverse its decision, Hy-Lite Plaster, employing over 40 staff, will shut its doors.

This decision comes on top of a requirement for a small local developer to buy land from one Government department in order to build a $700,000 roundabout and then takes it back for nothing!

Why does the Government not assist small business the way it gives free kicks to national companies? Is it because small business lacks market power, doesn’t make campaign donations or use lobbyists to arrange back room deals?

Small business doesn’t ask for hand-outs – only for the government to stop interfering with job creation and economic growth.

Reference: Clarence Council Meeting October 12.

Contact:

0428 685 337

Alderman Tony Mulder