Tasmanian Conservation Trust’s biodiversity campaigner Jennifer Rowallan believes that the Ancanthe Park decision made by Hobart City Council shows that it is undemocratic of the planning laws to prevent aldermen or councillors from voting on a planning application if they attend public meetings or visit an area that is under a development application.
The decision to approve the residential subdivision next to Ancanthe Park in Lenah Valley was made by the Hobart City Council’s development and environmental services director as the elected council could not produce a quorum. Four councilors were forced to declare an interest and could not vote due to state planning laws.
“One would assume that councilors and aldermen need to be given all the information available before deciding to vote in relation to a planning development, yet the state’s planning laws, as interpreted by the Hobart City Council, appear to prevent this from happening” said Mrs. Rowallan.
“The state planning laws are basically forcing council to vote on planning matters without listening to and considering the views of the constituents who voted for them.”
“Democracy is about allowing people to have a say in decisions that impact on their lives. When public meetings are held to discuss community opinions about a proposed development, this is where council should be; listening to the community. When a site is under a development application, then the council needs to be out there examining the area for themselves.”
HCC Lord Mayor Damon Thomas acknowledges that he believes there is an anomaly in the planning laws and that council will deal with the issue at their next council meeting. The TCT believes it is important that the state planning law be reviewed.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
Leo Schofield: HCC must knock this obscene plan on the head
David Crean’s subdivision proposal sparks opposition
