A local planning battle has exposed an anomaly in planning laws which could stop elected councillors from being lobbied on developments.
The Hobart City Council recently approved a residential subdivision next to Ancanthe Park in Lenah Valley, the site of the 170-year-old Lady Franklin Museum.
Four aldermen attended a public meeting opposing the development.
Under the state’s planning laws, any councillor who attends public meetings or visits an area under a development application risks being banned from voting on the matter.
The Lenah Valley Community Association’s Joss Fenton says a meeting was set up to hear concerns.
“We heard from the community there were concerns about the proposed subdivision in the land surrounding Ancanthe Park, so we helped facilitate a meeting to hear those views.”
The four alderman were excluded from voting on the subdivision.
Lord Mayor Damon Thomas says the aldermen received legal advice their attendance created a conflict of interest and was outside the legal planning process.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
Leo Schofield: HCC must knock this obscene plan on the head
David Crean’s subdivision proposal sparks opposition
