RESORT BLOCKED

Cambria Green knockback

THE $138 million Cambria Green resort project near Swansea has been blocked by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which yesterday said it was not satisfied landowners had provided consent for the development.

A DEVELOPMENT proposed for the East Coast has suffered a blow after it was blocked by the state’s independent planning body.

The Tasmanian Planning Commission yesterday released its decision on the $138 million Cambria Green resort project at Dolphin Sands, near Swansea.

The commission said it was not satisfied landowners had provided consent, after a hearing earlier this year examined the validity of consent documents and their signatures.

The commission had been considering the issue since the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council last year voted to amend planning rules to allow the project to go ahead.

In a 20-page decision, commission chair Ann Cunningham and delegate Peter Fischer said the commission did not have the jurisdiction to determine the draft amendment.

The commission said “no evidence was provided that all of [the] directors of the subject companies were even aware of the amendment request”.

At an August hearing in Hobart, Cambria Agriculture and Tourism’s Melbournebased chief executive Ronald Hu was questioned over the signing of consent documents.

Mr Hu told the hearing the owner of that company, Liu Keijing, had signed multiple documents on behalf of several landowners and had the authority to do so.

But the commission was not satisfied consent had been given, and in its decision, said Mr Hu was “defensive and evasive” during the hearing, and suggested the applicant could have submitted more persuasive direct evidence to support submissions.

The 3185ha Cambria Green development proposes to include a series of villas, units, hotel rooms and other facilities, as well as a crematorium and medical services.

It has faced strong community opposition, with many people making representations to the commission.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Mayor Debbie Wisby said she welcomed a new application should the proponents decide to resubmit.

“Potentially it comes back to council but we will have to wait and see what the proponents do,’’ she said.

East Coast Alliance president Anne Held welcomed the commission’s decision.

“It’s a joint community win, although it’s not necessarily the end of the road,’’ she said.

Project supporter Yon Kikkert said he was in favour of development and revitalisation of the area.

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor hailed the news as a great outcome for East Coast communities.