This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
A 2,500 dwellings housing development on the eastern shore of Hobart has been put on hold for fears its transformation could be detrimental to the capital city.
Undeveloped land in the area called Droughty Point was set to be the site of the new Skylands development which would provide an extra 2,500 homes of supply. The development would create six interconnected walkable neighbourhoods with nearly 70 hectares of public open space including a hilltop park and waterfront reserve.
Plans have however been knocked back by Clarence City Council with too many concerning factors currently acting as a barrier to progress.
Of the 800 people who responded, 64% opposed the plans while 23% were in favour.
A petition named ‘Save Droughty Point Peninsula from the proposed mega ‘Skylands’ development’ on change.org has also reached over 5000 signatures.
The ‘Friends of Tranmere and Droughty Peninsula Inc. provide details as to why they want the development to be prevented. Some of these include the fact that the number of dwellings will be 4 times larger while an extra 5500 vehicles will be on surrounding roads.
It also states that demands on infrastructure will be increased where it’s already failing to cope. Intrusions on their skyline, over-the-hill connector roads, destruction of the existing Sheoak forest and associated wildlife corridors are all further negative effects listed on the petition.
Minister for Planning, Michael Ferguson said the State Government was shocked and disappointed in the council’s decision.
“Unfortunately, this is yet another occasion where, for whatever reason, the elected members of a Council have voted against the expert advice of their own planning department,” Ferguson said.
“At a time when we need to deliver as many houses for Tasmanians as we can, this is an extraordinary vote against common sense, good planning, and due process.”
“It is astonishing that such a large-scale, complex proposal should be dismissed by the elected members of a Council rather than being allowed to be properly considered on its merits by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission through the standard planning scheme amendment process, which includes public exhibition and public hearings.”
Ferguson has not given up however, as they prepare a new way to move forward.
“The Government supports the right of proponents to have their proposals considered through an appropriate assessment process. We will now seek advice on how we can help that occur for the Skylands proposal.”
