Cassy O’Connor: Serious concerns over new planning appointment

The appointment of Property Council CEO, Mary Massina, to head up the Hodgman Government’s planning taskforce raises concerns that developers will have priority over community rights, Tasmanian Greens Local Government and Planning spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor said today.

“Ms Massina has been the voice of property developers in Tasmania for many years. The risk is that, as Executive Commissioner of the new Taskforce, she will follow through on her years of lobbying to tip the planning balance in favour of developers at the expense of the community.”

“Tasmanians have a right to have a say about development proposals that affect their lives and wellbeing, through our independent planning system.”

“Those public rights are under threat as the big end of town now holds enormous sway with the Liberal Government which has made it clear it will back the big dollars over the community having a say.”

“The Greens are very concerned that the Hodgman Government’s blindly pro-development planning agenda will lead to fast-tracking, failure to fully assess community, environmental and long-term economic impacts as well as deny public input.”

“The test for Ms Massina will be to act independently and weigh all the interests involved in planning – not just those of developers – in the advice she gives to the new government,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Local Government and Planning spokesperson