Catholic site in the cross hairs

OUTRAGED Blackmans Bay residents have vowed to stop a controversial affordable housing project from being built in their community.

The land is a 3ha site owned by religious group the Tasmanian Presentation Sisters.

The Sisters’ plan involves developing the land into 50-70 units — a mix of affordable and social housing. The site will be developed and managed by CatholicCare Tasmania, on behalf of the Sisters.

A group called Save Blackmans Bay Bluff has been formed in opposition to the project and collected almost 800 signatures in a Change.org petition to stop Blackmans Bay Bluff from “irreversible overdevelopment”.

Resident Carolyn Coote said the development would lead to a quadrupling of housing density and the area lacked the infrastructure to cope.

Save Blackmans Bay Bluff spokeswoman Erica Clark said residents acknowledged the need for affordable housing in southern Tasmania.

“However, questions were raised by residents who are alarmed that there has been little public consultation, and minimal concern given to the character and appeal of the area, increased traffic, ongoing infrastructure and storm water problems and the overall impact on native vegetation and endangered fauna,” she said.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter said council had only initiated the amendment to the planning scheme. The final de- cision will be made by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

He acknowledged the residents were disappointed that the existing use of the site was not going to continue.

“But I also understood that the Presentation Sisters are attempting to realise their vision for the site they have owned for almost 100 years,” he said.

Submissions may be made to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, via the Kingborough Council until March 9.

A public meeting will be held at the Blackmans Bay Hall, Ocean Esplanade, today from 6pm-7.30pm.