Party backs residents in fight against Kingborough zoning plan after ‘unprecedented concern’
The Tasmanian Liberal Party state council has backed calls to protect private property rights after controversial zoning changes sparked “unprecedented community concern” in Kingborough.
The Tasmanian Liberal Party has been asked to “affirm its support for the protection of private property rights” following “unprecedented community concern” over controversial zoning changes in Kingborough.
Liberal Huon branch member and Dover resident Caleb Elcock moved the motion at the Liberal State Council in Devonport on Saturday.
He said governments at all levels need to “get the balance right” between economic outcomes and environmental protection.
“This is environmentalist overreach masquerading as good planning practice,” Mr Elcock said. “This is not about ignoring sensible environmental protections.”
Under the proposed changes, hundreds of properties will be re-categorised as part of a Landscape Conservation Zone, which could limit development potential and market value.
Mr Elcock said there had been damage to people’s wellbeing as they fight the proposed zoning change, and said some community members were even contemplating suicide over the situation.
In his motion Mr Elcock asked the Liberal Party to “reaffirm its fundamental support for the protection of private property rights”.
He said some owners would have land adversely impacted without “due compensation for loss of their private property rights”.
He said it should not be incumbent on individual residents to fight the changes and said he had engaged with many residents who had successfully appealed their proposed zoning.
The second part of the motion called for a “comprehensive review of the statewide planning scheme to ensure it is fair, consistent and treats all landowners across Tasmania equitably”.
Mr Elcock said although there was a need for a “culture change” at council level, blame should not be levelled just at councils’ feet.
He said all levels of government needed to “get their heads together” to come up with a solution.
The motion passed unanimously, and Mr Elcock said he hoped it would help bring positive changes in the fight over the proposal.
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Originally published as Party backs residents in fight against Kingborough zoning plan after ‘unprecedented concern’
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