Hatchery plan fears

Fight looms over Taroona land sale for lobster project

A COMMUNITY fight is brewing in Taroona over the State Government’s move to sell a parcel of land to the University of Tasmania as the potential site for a new commercial lobster hatchery venture.

The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies announced last year it was looking for a place to build a hatchery to produce young lobster commercially in a joint venture with Plastic Fabrications Group.

IMAS is hoping to be in pro- duction by 2021 and UTAS said it had reached an agreement with the Government to buy land next to the IMAS Taroona site, which had once been used by DPIPWE for its endangered species programs. The deal is being finalised. The Taroona Community Association says it is concerned a popular recreation area — home to blue gums in which endangered swift parrots nest — could be affected and that an application to rezone the land was already before the Kingborough Council.

UTAS said adding “re- search and development” and “resource development” to activities allowed in the area would recognise existing research activities and facilitate the possible development of a tropical lobster hatchery on the Nubeena Crescent site.

Jill Hickie, of the TCA, said she had met with IMAS when she learnt of the plans, and would lobby on the issue in the lead-up to next month’s local government elections.

“It will certainly be a hot potato,” Ms Hickie said yesterday.

“There is a good reason that this type of activity is currently prohibited by the Kingborough Interim Planning Scheme at Crayfish Point.

“It has exceptional value to the Taroona community and visitors as its links with Taroona Beach and forms part of the popular Taroona Foreshore Walking Track.”

UTAS said the proposed planning changes would apply to Crown Land on the coastal edge, but no changes to the existing Taroona Foreshore Trail or its use by the community were anticipated or required.

UTAS said no proposal to build the hatchery at Taroona had been finalised but the proposed planning changes would allow it to be explored.

UTAS director of corporate affairs Jason Purdie said the site had considerable advantages as IMAS Taroona already housed a research lobster hatchery.

“Locating a small pilot-scale hatchery alongside the existing research facility would allow the world-class scientists based at Taroona to work alongside staff commercialising the technology,” Mr Purdie said.