Planning Minister grants Kangaroo Bay Hotel ‘major project’ status

After a big red light from the council, the Kangaroo Bay Hotel has been thrown a lifeline: now granted ‘major project’ status. But it’s no guarantee the project will go ahead. Read what’s next.

Kangaroo Bay Hotel. Picture: Supplied

The Kangaroo Bay Hotel has another chance to be approved, this time independent of the council, after it was granted ‘major project’ status by Tasmania’s Planning Minister.

Under the $65m proposal by Chinese Developer, Chambroad, a 155-room five-star boutique hotel would be built on waterfront land at Kangaroo Bay.

The status means the project can now be reassessed, this time by an independent panel, selected by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

It does not mean the project is guaranteed approval.

The newest designs inside the proposed Kangaroo Bay Hotel. Pic: Chambroad.

The decision would bypass the Clarence Council, which is adamant the land be returned to public hands.

To be considered a major project, a developer needs to demonstrate a proposal has a far reaching impacts.

“After consideration of the Major Project proposal, and on advice from the State Planning Office, I am of the opinion that the project has the necessary attributes to be declared a Major Project,” Planning Minister Felix Ellis said.

Planning Minister Felix Ellis. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

“Developments like the Kangaroo Bay Hotel are driving forces for economic growth, job creation, and progress.”

Chambroad made a bid for major project status last year, but it ruled ineligible for the special consideration.

In August this year the developer made its second bid for the status, claiming the project had a greater economic benefit to the state’s south.

This time it was able to sway the Planning Minister.

The newest designs inside the proposed Kangaroo Bay Hotel. Pic: Chambroad.

“The proposal sets out that 100 full-time equivalent jobs will be created for the hotel’s construction alone, adding to the continued pipeline of work for our tradies, including our next generation of apprentices who will have more opportunities to learn their craft on site,” Mr Ellis said.

“This development will have a direct impact on the region’s economy, with forecast visitor expenditure growth of $500 million over 10 years.”

The Kangaroo Bay Hotel proposal by developer Chambroad.

Chambroad initially had approval from the council to build a hotel and hospitality school, but when it couldn’t secure an educational provider, it went back to the drawing board, dumping the education part of the plan.

After receiving several extensions to substantially commence the development, the Clarence Council resolved to instead buy back the land, as per a clause written into the sale and development agreement.

The two parties are currently locked in a dispute in the Supreme Court as to whether the council has the right to buy back the land.

Mr Ellis said the panel would develop draft criteria for the public, and that the community would have several chances to weigh in on the project while it is assessed.

Originally published as Planning Minister grants Kangaroo Bay Hotel ‘major project’ status