Happy campers greet ruling on $7m resort
A NEW resort development at Boat Harbour is set to go ahead now a dispute over the use of public land has been resolved.
It is one of two major developments for the area the Waratah-Wynyard Council says will provide the up-market accommodation options needed to attract and keep tourists in the region.
A strip of foreshore Crown Land at Boat Harbour will stay in public hands as the beachside village prepares to welcome a new $7 million luxury resort.
Vos Nominees’ application to build its development — which includes a caravan park, luxury resort, residential units and motorhome sites — had already been approved by the council.
But the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal ruled on June 15 the company needed to make some changes, including removing the foreshore from its plans and boosting visitor parking.
A group of residents that appealed against the council’s decision to allow the company to use the crown land, which is often full of free and happy campers, is celebrating.
“We couldn’t be happier. Well done to the applicants,” Save the Boat Harbour Beach Crown Land Foreshore said on its Facebook site yesterday.
“While this has been a win, the State Government are in the process of pushing through a new state planning scheme which essentially makes it easier for development to occur. We need to stay vigilant.”
A visitor who was staying with her husband and dog in a campervan on the strip of land in question was surprised to learn a private developer had been given the OK to use it.
“It is just so great to be able to pull up and park right on the water like this,” said Julie Munro, of Launceston.
“It is a beautiful spot and it would be a real shame if things changed.”
Vos has been granted up to $1.5 million from the Tasmanian Jobs and Investment Fund for the Boat Harbour development.
Waratah-Wynyard Council general manager Michael Stretton said it was important to have the issue resolved so progress could begin.
Mr Stretton said the start of construction was now in the company’s hands but the resort, and another planned for Table Cape, were sorely needed in the municipality.
The window for public comments on the $70 million Table Cape proposal closes this weekend and the development application, by Table Cape Enterprises, was expected to come before the council in July.
The resort would be built atop the eastern side of the cape, overlooking the coast and farmland towards Wynyard, Burnie, Valentine’s Peak, Low Head and beyond.
Table Cape Enterprises said the resort would have 50 rooms, varying in size and configuration.