Candidates told of waterfront works concerns

A BOLD foreshore development proposed for Hobart’s Eastern Shore was the top concern raised by residents at a public meeting last night.

About 100 residents attended a forum featuring most candidates vying for the Legislative Council seat of Pembroke at this weekend’s by-election.

Many residents spoke out about a proposed development on the foreshore at Kangaroo Bay, with concerns about how public land had become earmarked for private development.

The community meeting, at the Rosny Park Bowls Club, was organised by advocacy group Planning Matters Alliance.

Five political candidates attended in person: independent candidates Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, Richard James and Hans Willink, Labor’s Jo Siejka, and Carlo Di Falco of the Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Tas party.

Greens candidate Bill Harvey sent a representative and Liberal candidate James Walker did not attend. The meeting was held to discuss planning laws and reforms, after concerns about the new Statewide Planning Scheme.

Some community members at the meeting called for a review of the scheme.

Alderman Chipman backed the call.

“They should be reviewed, we need to review them as soon as possible,” he said.

Alliance spokeswoman Sophie Underwood said residents had raised concerns about the code’s new larger building envelope in urban environments.

“The plan allows bigger homes than what’s currently allowed, so the building envelope can be closer to boundaries and can be higher,” she said.

“There’s limited protection for privacy, sunshine and views under the scheme.”

The other major concern raised at the meeting was about a proposed development at Kangaroo Bay. The consequential loss of open public space was the main concern.

“There was a lot of resentment and disappointment about the Kangaroo Bay development,” Ms Underwood said.

The State Government transferred the site, which was crown land, to the Clarence Council in November last year and it is now being sold to developers.

Many residents said there had been a lack of community consultation about the transfer.

Alderman James said the public should be a priority.

“When dealing with public land, the public need to know about it,” Ald James said.

Multibillion-dollar Chinese petrochemical company Shandong Chambroad teamed up with local developers Hunter Developments, headed by architect Robert Morris-Nunn, to develop the site between Rosny College and the Bellerive Yacht Club.