Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for PLANNING, Mr JAENSCH
The mega Cambria Green development on the east coast requires rezoning of agricultural land and is one of the largest planning scheme amendments and tourism developments ever proposed for Tasmania. The Tasmanian Planning Scheme that your Government rushed through in 2015 provides a loophole. This development enclave would use a specific area plan. The master plan for that specific area plan requires suggestions and concepts for further development within it that are vague and open to interpretation. It, effectively, will make a whole new mini-planning system within the Tasmanian Planning Scheme on that site. The bottom line is, if the specific area plan is approved this mega Cambria Green development would make massive changes in land use with impacts on the local community, on water availability and on local biodiversity, there would be almost no ability for the community or other people to appeal or for a formal consultation process about most of those changes.
Is this your idea of a good planning scheme to guide Tasmania's future?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am aware of the proposal for a new tourism development on the east coast. I am aware that the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, the local planning authority for that area, has voted in favour of a rezoning request for part of the property at Dolphin Sands. As the member who asked the question knows, this is a matter currently being exhibited by the council and will ultimately be put before the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission for their assessment and decision.
The Government and the Minister for Planning - that is me - have no involvement in that stage of the process at all. I reject suggestions of complainers out there, and the Greens, who say that this development will affect our brand and identity. This is typical of what is becoming a habit of the Greens to be selective, depending on who is doing a development and whether they like it.
The assessment of this proposal is following standard rezoning processes under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. The independent Tasmanian Planning Commission is the responsible body to assess and decide upon rezoning applications. We trust in the independent process and supposedly the Greens do too. Their planning policy states:
The Tasmanian Greens believe that an independent fair and accessible planning system is crucial in guiding sensible development and resource management, protecting conservation values and the public interest. An impartial and well-resourced arbitrator is crucial to the success of any planning system, as is the encouragement of public participation. The Tasmanian Greens support a state planning authority with comprehensive powers of investigation and review. It should be independent of both government and prospective proponents of development, allow public representation, integrate with local government, other planning bodies and tribunals and have a transparent process of appeal.
Ms O'CONNOR - Point of order, Madam Speaker. I draw the minister's attention, when he talks about the independent planning scheme, to a signing ceremony that makes Cambria Green agreement an apparently done deal.
Mr JAENSCH - Madam Speaker, I have given my response.
Madam SPEAKER - I rule it is not a point of order.