Submissions on the DIAR Closed Today
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today strongly supported the findings of the Draft Integrated Assessment Report (DIAR) on the Walker Corporation proposal to destroy the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area to construct Tasmania’s first canal housing estate development.
Greens Environment and Coastal Protection spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP lodged a representation on the DIAR with the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) late this afternoon, urging the Assessment Panel not to be swayed by any counter arguments put by the proponent in an attempt to salvage some pride out of the humiliation dished up in the DIAR.
“The Tasmanian Planning Commission’s interim findings are based on a comprehensive assessment of the overwhelming weight of evidence rejecting the Walker proposal and must be maintained in the Final Assessment Report,” Ms O’Connor said.
“In short, the DIAR is a great read and has brought enormous pleasure to so many people who have always recognised that the Walker Corporation proposal represents an unacceptable threat to the natural values of the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area; the amenity of the South Arm Peninsula community; and that if approved, it would set an appalling precedent for future development along Tasmania’s unspoiled coastline.”
“While I am certain the proponent will exercise the right to make a representation on the DIAR, the Greens trust the Assessment Panel will maintain its integrity and credibility on this issue and hold to its interim findings contained in the DIAR.”
“The Greens fully support the finding that this project is ‘an inherently unsustainable approach to satisfying demand for residential land’. This is an irrefutable conclusion on the weight of evidence presented to the Panel and in keeping with the sustainable management objectives of the Resource Management and Planning System (RMPS) in Tasmania.”
“The Panel has correctly identified that the environmental and social costs of the project vastly outweigh the short-term economic benefits of the construction phase. Experience interstate confirms that the long term economic costs of canal estate developments outweigh any short term financial benefit to the state, and the Panel is aware that both NSW and Victoria have banned the construction of canal estate developments for economic, environmental and social reasons.”
“The Panel’s concerns relating to the negative visual impact of the proposed development are strongly supported. So too the finding of ‘significant negative matters’ in relation to the social, cultural, health and general community impacts.”
“There is a single weakness in the DIAR in relation to the impacts of climate change and sea level rise. The Greens believe the Panel needs to strengthen this key consideration on the basis of the most recent Federal Government projections of a 1.1M mean sea level rise by 2100. It is a concern that the Panel accepted “that the Proponent has taken sufficient account of climate change – especially accepted mean sea-level rise predictions …”
“I note that the implications of sea level rise on coastal development is not mentioned in the Draft Recommendations and I believe this is a major omission – possibly the only major omission – in the DIAR.”
“On behalf of the Greens and all Tasmanians who treasure our lovely coastline, I would again like to thank the Panel for the work it has undertaken and the comprehensive nature of its findings against the project.”
“On behalf of the Bay and all the rich diversity of life it sustains, I urge the Panel not to be swayed by any sophistry on the proponent’s part in its response to the DIAR,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment and Coastal Protection spokesperson
