ALTERATION TO THE WELLINGTON PARK MANAGMENT PLAN

In August 2014 the Trust started the process to change the boundary of the Pinnacle Specific Area in the Wellington Park Management Plan.

This has now been completed and the altered Management Plan was approved by the Governor on 26 October 2015. A notice of the approval will be published in the Gazette on 4 November 2015.

The Chairperson of the Wellington Park Management Trust, Dr. Christine Mucha, said the change increases the area allowed for commercial development at the Pinnacle by about 15 percent.

Dr. Mucha stressed that the proposed boundary change does not imply Trust support for any particular development at the Pinnacle.

“Any proposals for development in the expanded Pinnacle Specific Area would need to meet the standards provided in the management plan which have not been changed,” Dr. Mucha said.

“They will also have to be approved by the landowner, Hobart City Council. Any commercial development will also need to prepare a development application in which the standards of the Management Plan have to be met.”

“The request for the change to the boundary of the Pinnacle Specific Area came from the Mt Wellington Cableway Company. When considering the request, the Trust recognised that the proposed 1.1 hectare addition to the Pinnacle Specific Area immediately in front of the observation shelter would provide more scope for appropriate siting of the range of commercial developments allowable in the Pinnacle Specific Area.”

“The Trust realised that including the area within the Pinnacle Specific Area would meet the objectives of the Management Plan relating to promotion of tourism and recreational opportunities, whilst either retaining the status of, or improving, the conservation objectives of the Management Plan.”

Dr. Mucha said the addition to the Pinnacle Specific Area will allow new developments to be clustered close to existing developments, thereby avoiding the spread of impacts, and located below the skyline where it will be easier to reduce visual impacts.

The proposed boundary change was exhibited for public comment and the Trust received 551 representations in response. The Trust prepared a report on its consideration of the issues raised in the representations and submitted this to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for review, as required in the Wellington Park Act.

“The Commission’s report noted some inadequacies in the Trust’s response to the public representations, but these were addressed before the altered Plan was submitted to the Governor for approval,” Dr. Mucha said.

“Hobart Council Aldermen were briefed on the Trust’s intent and the reasons why it intended to recommend approval of the proposed change to the Management Plan.” Dr. Mucha said the Plan sought to provide a balance between provision of services and facilities for visitors and the protection of the Park’s natural and cultural values.
Axel von Krusenstierna Manager, Wellington Park Management Trust