Space for everyone to have a say

Cambria Green will not be a “Chinese town” and there are plenty of planning safeguards, writes Ronald Hu

THE proposed Cambria Green development at Swansea has certainly led to a spirited debate.

In simple terms, as the proponent, I have looked at the beautiful East Coast of Tasmania and its overall lack of facilities.

One of the key drivers for Cambria Green is the ability to stage a wedding for 150-200 guests, a growing market in Tasmania, Australia and even internationally.

At present, there are certain venues that could host such an event but not accommodate the guests. Cambria Green, when complete, will be able to host and house large weddings and conferences.

The first task is the restoration and celebration of the historic, heritage-listed Cambria Homestead, along with management of its heritage gardens. We want Cambria to be the go-to destination for Tasmanians, interstate visitors and international tourists alike.

We have also seen a great deal of misinformation about the development. I hope to answer some of the frequently asked questions and also clear up some misconceptions.

What is the Specific Area Plan?

The application before Council is for a Specific Area Plan (SAP), which will form an amendment to the Planning Scheme. The SAP imposes a number of restrictions and obligations on Cambria Green, as well as development opportunities. Most of the uses envisaged in the master plan will require discretionary applications to be lodged with Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council and will be assessed through existing planning processes — advertisements with development application plans.

What does the SAP do?

The SAP provides standards for development application to give guidance and constraint in accordance with the identified values of the land. The SAP will allow finer controls to be put in place specific to a particular area — a major advantage.

Importantly, it empowers local communities to advocate for extra development protections and controls that would simply be unworkable within broader scale planning provisions. Working to amend the SAP, through the processes provided, allows development and protects the community at the same time.

Does the SAP protect the agricultural land at Cambria?

Cambria Green’s SAP contains a specific agricultural precinct, based on investigations into agricultural potential. The SAP specifically limits the extent of the property’s prime agricultural from being developed. The SAP will not facilitate development that is inconsistent with the agricultural potential of the land, or the adjoining area.

Is Cambria Green going to be a gated community/Chinese town?

No. The development will not be gated, monocultural or exclusive. Cambria Green will create facilities and attractions that will be open to visitors and the local community alike.

How long will the development take to complete if approved?

The Cambria Green development is a long-term strategy, which may take 10 to 20 years to complete. The first stage will be the redevelopment of the Cambria Homestead. Starting work on the golf links — an 18-hole and nine-hole course — will also be a priority, because they will take years to finalise design and bed down. Accommodation and facilities in the designated area, on the left-hand side of the property heading north, will be the next stage. However, when approved, market forces will determine the progress of the development.

What is the scale of the proposed development?

All accommodation and tourism development will contained in the Area 4 of the SAP, on the left-hand side of the Cambria property, as one drives from Swansea north. There are no development application plans as yet, because the establishment/ approval of the SAP is the first part of the process. It is envisaged that the scale of development will be 0.2 per cent of the land area of 3074ha, effectively sculpted into the hillside of Area 4. Potential development areas have been explored to ensure it can occur with minimal clearance of native vegetation, and will not be located on the skyline/ridge line of the privately owned property.

What are the setbacks from Dolphin Sands’ properties?

Following discussions with the residents of Dolphin Sands, the SAP increased the setbacks from the boundaries of their properties to a minimum of 50m.

Where are the golf courses?

The golf courses will be on the eastern end of the property on

the Dolphin Sands peninsula, parallel to the Dolphin Sands residences. Because of the design of the two courses, fitting into the natural environment, they will have minimal impact on Dolphin Sands or the overall landscape. The golf course development will include a clubhouse.

What are the development’s water resources?

Cambria Green retains historic water licences associated with the Meredith River and is within the area of the Swan Irrigation Scheme. Cambria Green will not draw water from the aquifer.

How will the airstrip be used?

The intention is to maintain the airstrip with its existing rights and upgrade the surface. While the airstrip needs to be available for emergency use, following discussion with local residents, further controls have been included to manage impacts from noise, flight frequency, and hours of operation.

Will it compete with Swansea retail outlets?

The SAP requires that any retail or restaurants to be of a scale and intensity that retains Swansea as the existing focal point for activity.

Cambria Green will not compete with Swansea businesses, but rather complement them.

Has there been a lack of transparency about the proposed development?

The 117-page master plan and 13 associated reports have been available on the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council website for months. There has been a six-week period of community input to council and there will be public hearings at the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

Cambria Green’s goal is to provide a high-quality, state of the art multi-use development — accommodation, wedding and function venue, golf courses and associated activities, such as walking and mountain biking.

Cambria Green will provide long-term employment for locals and other Tasmanians, as well as a 10 to 20-year construction program. Long term, Cambria Green will source the vast majority of its produce from the East Coast of Tasmania — wine, vegetables, fruit — all clean, green and Tasmanian. Ronald Hu is chief executive of Cambria Green Agriculture & Tourism Management Pty Ltd.

We want Cambria to be the go-to destination for Tasmanians, interstate visitors and international tourists alike.