Helen Burnet MP, Greens Planning spokesperson, 14 November 2024
Property Council Right About Stony Rise
The Greens and the Property Council don’t see eye to eye too often, but the fact we’re on the same page on Stony Rise shows just how reckless the Rockliff government’s actions are on this matter.
It doesn’t matter if you think this particular development is a great idea, or if it isn’t. The problem here is about setting a precedent that will completely undermine proper process in planning across the state.
Minister Felix Ellis keeps saying he wants to take the politics out of planning. Well, rushing a special bill through parliament just to help a developer is a surefire way of politicising the planning system.
If this bill passes it will create a situation where every developer who has their project rejected will go knocking on the Minister’s door. And if they don’t get their way with the government, they’ll try their luck with the Opposition.
Just because Liberal and Labor politicians agree something is a good idea doesn’t mean it is. The major parties’ reckless approach to legislating for this development tells you all you need to know about the risks of the precedent that will be established if this bill passes.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier; Felix Ellis, Minister for Housing, Planning, and Consumer Affairs, 13 November 2024
Taking action to back-in Stony Rise
The Tasmanian Government is taking immediate action to support development in Tasmania, with legislation set to be introduced to enable a much-needed development on the north-west coast.
The legislation will allow for a $40 million retail precinct to be developed in Devonport, providing a range of retail, business and other professional tenancies and stores.
Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said backing in development in Tasmania is of the utmost importance.
“In recent months, we saw a planning decision derail a much-needed retail development at Stony Rise in north west Tasmania,” Premier Rockliff said.
“It wasn’t good enough, and I made a promise to the people of the north west coast that we wouldn’t allow decisions like this to stand in the way of economic growth, of jobs, and of progress.
“The legislation has been drafted and finalised, and will be introduced in the Parliament next week.
“This legislation is more than just a development approval; it’s a message to investors that Tasmania is open for business.
“The people of Stony Rise deserve no less.”
Minister for Housing, Planning, and Consumer Affairs, Felix Ellis, said the Liberal Government is taking decisive action to back in jobs and development.
“We are taking action now to ensure common sense prevails,” Minister Ellis said.
“We need this jobs-rich development benefitting our communities now. The time has come to clear the path.
“This legislation will enable a much-needed development that will benefit the north west coast for decades to come.
“We welcome Labor coming on board with our legislation and look forward to bringing it to Parliament next week.”
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, 13 November 2024
Labor is leading, Liberals are following on our economy
Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to finally commit to new legislation approve the Stony Rise development is welcome, but it’s embarrassing for the Premier that he had to wait for Labor to act first.
It’s now more than two months since the Premier promised to “immediately identify” a way to make sure the Stony Rise Village development could go ahead.
Even yesterday, before Labor came out strongly in support of the development, the Premier could only provide a wishy-washy statement:
“We have also made it clear we will consider all avenues, including legislative changes – if necessary – as soon as practicable,” the Premier said.
Then today, only hours after I had made the commitment to the Devonport business community to support the project with legislation in Parliament, the Premier followed my lead.
The Premier’s inability to get the job done by himself is just another sign that he is struggling. This is a 10 year old government that cannot get anything done.
Editor’s note: you can read the Tasmanian Planning Commission Decision and reasons here.
