Major projects bid faces hurdle

HOBART’S acting Mayor Ron Christie has told a packed Town Hall meeting the council would call on the Legislative Council to further review the State Government’s proposed major projects legislation.

Last night, locals heard about the Hobart City Council’s stance on the draft legislation, which is pushing ministerial call-in powers for significant developments.

The legislation has not been tabled in Parliament as the Government last month chose to change the draft Bill to allay concerns it could be used for skyscrapers.

It means the future of the Bill will depend on the outcome of Saturday’s election. However, after the Bill was changed, the council ’s planning committee voted that the counc i l should advise the Government it saw no need for the draft Bill amending the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act to introduce a new major projects assessment process. The council’s concern surrounds the eligibility criteria for major projects as they are open to interpretation through the use of the phrase “projects of significance”.

However, Alderman Christie said last night that the council would seek to obtain a clearer understanding of the legislation after the Tasmanian Planning Commission sits in two weeks, with plans to take it further.

“The council further resolved that the Legislative Council be lobbied to ensure a full review of the draft legislation by a select committee,” he said.

Also at last night’s meeting Liberal MP Elise Archer, Labor MP Madeleine Ogilvie and Green’s leader Cassy O’Connor spoke about major projects in the city.

Christie