Opponents say Bill will benefit developers

Alliance, Tasmanian Conservation Trust and Hobart Not Highrise spoke out on Monday in opposition to the new Bill.

PMAT co-ordinator Sophie Underwood said the group still held concerns about appeal rights and the broad scope of the legislation and wanted the tabling of the Bill delayed.

“We think it could be a 200page document and we’re concerned it will be tabled Tuesday and debated on Thursday and — given the significant and far-reaching consequences for this Bill for the entire Tasmanian community — we’d like it postponed,” she said.

“The government has never actually explained to us the need for this Bill.

“This is a whole new planning process, which will essentially displace the existing and trusted processes and it will make it easier for developers at the cost of local communities.”

Tasmanian Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone said there was nothing wrong with the process of the Tasmanian Planning Commission dealing with major projects.

He wrote to Premier Peter Gutwein on Monday asking if the proponent of the contentious Cambria Green development had asked for government assistance to get the project, which is before the Supreme Court, over the line.

Planning Minister Roger Jaensch said the final version of the Bill would be tabled and debated in parliament.

“It is disappointing that despite receiving a comprehensive briefing on the Major Projects Bill process, that included