Rosny Hill Friends Network and Hunter Developments sign agreement which will see $50m project go ahead

The details for the permit for the $50 million Rosny Hill hotel development have been finalised, with opponents vowing the fight against the project is not over. LATEST >>

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THE details for the permit for the $50 million Rosny Hill hotel development have been finalised, with opponents vowing the fight against the project is not over.

The plan includes a 60-room visitor accommodation complex, two restaurants, a cafe and public viewing deck, with new public walking trails.

An appeal of the Clarence City Council’s approval of the Robert Morris-Nunn Hunter Developments’ proposal was lodged by the Rosny Hill Friends Network, which wanted the application rejected.

Last month, president Beth Rees said the network felt they had taken the appeal as far as the process allowed and an agreement had been reached with the proponents.

On Monday, the state’s planning tribunal finalised the terms of agreement and imposed some new conditions to the council’s permit.

“Thorough botanical studies have resulted in the relocation of carparking, water tanks, and utilities infrastructure to protect priority vegetation,” Ms Rees said.

“Our submission has shown there is far greater biodiversity than was reported in the developer’s January 2020 development application, or indeed, in any previous Clarence City Council funded study.

“It is shameful that the council, as managing authority of this Nature Recreation Area, has placed so little value on the natural values of Rosny Hill.

“The fight to save Rosny Hill is not over — there are still many avenues that will be pursued by this group.”

Prof Morris-Nunn said previously the next step, once signed off, would be to take the project to the market.

Each party must pay their own appeal costs.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the development would bring an economic and tourism boost “as well as improve public access and amenity for local residents.”

EARLIER: THE $50 million Rosny Hill development is set to go ahead after an appeal against the council’s approval of the project was dropped.

The project includes a 60-room visitor accommodation complex, two restaurants, a cafe and public viewing deck, with new public walking trails.

An appeal of the Clarence City Council’s approval in January of the Robert Morris-Nunn Hunter Developments’ proposal was lodged by the Rosny Hill Friends Network, which wanted the application rejected.

President Beth Rees said the Network felt they had taken the appeal as far as the process allowed, but had achieved some concessions that may help to protect some threatened vegetation and its supporting habitat.

President of the Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc Beth Rees said the group felt they had taken the appeal process as far as possible within the current planning scheme. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“RHFN remains completely opposed to this development, on grounds that are not within the scope of this [planning] tribunal, which is limited to the existing planning scheme,” she said.

“The result of this appeal is in no way an endorsement of the development.

“We are deeply troubled by the fact there has never been a cost-benefit study by council to demonstrate the cost of supporting roads and infrastructure, and the loss of amenity, will be offset by any advantage to the local community or Clarence ratepayers.”

Planning tribunal registrar Jarrod Bryan said the tribunal had received a consent memorandum signed by the parties to the appeal and had until January 30, 2021 to issue a decision on the file.

Prof Morris-Nunn welcomed the latest development for the project and said the next step, once officially signed off, would be to take it to the market.

“We’re not developers, we find investors and operators for the projects and having approvals in place provides so much more certainty,” he said.

Artist’s impressions of the project at Rosny Hill.

Tasmanian Conservation Trust chief executive officer Peter McGlone said the group withdrew as a third party to the appeal, but was seeking legal advice on a possible Supreme Court challenge.

“We are actively considering other avenues to prevent this outrageous land grab by Hunter Developments,” he said.

“TCT will continue to work with the Rosny Hill Friends Network and our other partners to stop councils and the state government in their fire sale of public land to private developers, their negative impacts on biodiversity and to protect Tasmania from overdevelopment.”

Artist’s impressions of the project at Rosny Hill.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the council welcomed the resolution of the appeal.

“To be clear – council is not selling the land,” he said.

“Council will negotiate a lease on commercial terms with the proponent.

“The proposed development takes up a small portion of the reserve, which will remain as fully accessible public open space.

“The development will have long term benefits for the Rosny Hill Reserve, and provide a valuable community asset.”