Media release – Tasmanian Conservation Trust, 3 August 2020

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust calls on Minister Jaensch to rule out a Major Projects lifeline for Cambria Green

The 3,000 ha Cambria Green development proposal would carve out a private enclave and essentially create a new town a few kilometres north of Swansea, on Tasmania’s East Coast. The $250 million project has been firmly opposed by the local community on the grounds that it is inconsistent with the regional planning strategy and local planning scheme and by conservation groups because of threats to native animals and habitat.

On 22 November 2019 the Tasmanian Planning Commission refused the request by the Cambria Green proponent for a planning scheme amendment because it was not convinced the letters of landowner consent had been provided by the true owners of the land. The proponent launched a legal challenge to the Commission’s decision on 2 February 2020. The draft Major Projects Bill reappeared four weeks later after having disappeared for two years.

“The Cambria proposal is stuck in the Supreme Court because of questions around the legitimacy of signatures and other evidence used on landowner consent documents.”

“If Cambria were declared a major project, it would solve the developer’s problems overnight.”

“The Major Projects Bill removes the hurdles that require a developer to demonstrate legitimate landowner consent.”

“They’ve created a fast track for Cambria, a loophole that means Tasmanians might never find out who the real land owners are.”

“It’s almost as if Gutwein and Jaensch sat down and designed the Major Project’s Bill to rescue Cambria Green.”

“The timing of this legislation, apparently abandoned for two years, coming so soon after the court case and Commission’s decision is highly suspect.”

“The Tasmanian Conservation Trust calls on Minister Jaensch to rule out a Major Projects lifeline for Cambria Green.”

“Jaensch’s fast track bill is a disaster for Tasmania, it will lead to an influx of dodgy developments, with no right for the community to appeal, or for local councils to stand up for their constituents.”

The TCT predicts that the Minister will say he cannot comment on Cambria because it is being considered by the Supreme Court. But the court case relates to the Commission’s decision and comment on the draft major projects bill cannot affect that court case.

“If the Minister refused to comment it would be a weak excuse designed to avoid scrutiny of his legislation. The government can rule out declaring Cambria a Major Project but they just don’t want to.”

“They want to open the door to declaring Cambria a Major Project and remove it from the normal planning process that everyone else must follow.”

”This government wants one set of rules for property developers, and another set of rules for everyone else.”