Rosny Hill’s future to be decided at Resource Management and Planning Tribunal appeal

Residents and a developer who are locked in a five-year battle over a tourism plan for Hobart’s Eastern Shore may finally see the matter resolved, as a date for a tribunal appeal is set.

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A DELAYED appeal hearing for the Rosny Hill hotel development on Crown reserve land will be held on September 7.

The $50 million 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 January approval of the Robert Morris-Nunn Hunter Developments’ proposal was lodged by the Rosny Hill Friends Network, who want the application rejected.

Rosny Hill hotel development appeal delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions

Architect Robert Morris-Nunn. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“It is entirely inappropriate for this site, and represents the worst of privatisation of profits, mostly to interstate and overseas entities, and socialisation of losses as public land is handed over to private development,” network president Beth Rees said.

Mr Morris-Nunn believes his plan is “a community asset, rather than a privatised development” saying it’s an opportunity to “give the hill back to the community”.

“The existing public reserve will still occupy 96 per cent of the overall site.” he said.

He said the uppermost part of the reserve will be left completely as public domain, thus preserving the natural parkland at the crown of the hill, as well as creating a generous new public boardwalk and lookout, and the proposed hotel will be hidden under this extended public lookout.

“It’s very discreet,” he said.

“The whole reserve will be slowly restored to become a natural bushland oasis for people to use and enjoy.”

Mrs Rees said a measure of support is the $50,000 raised to mount the appeal and 1500 signatures to petition council to hold a public meeting.

Packed Clarence City Council meeting hears verdict on Rosny Hill development

The network have 20 formal paid-up members, about 150 mailing-list supporters, Facebook and anonymous supporters, many who give time and or money to the cause.

The hearing was due to run in June, but developers felt it was not suitable via video link during COVID-19 restrictions.

President of the Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc Beth Rees (middle) with committee members Rob Peterson and Denise Hoggan as they are unhappy that there is a proposed hotel to be built on the hill. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The reserve is managed by Clarence council. It first opened up for expressions of interest to develop in 2014 with council envisioned a lookout and a cafe or a restaurant.

Mr Morris-Nunn, who has several prestigious public and private developments in his portfolio, originally pitched a 120-room hotel and convention centre, with a cafe and lookout.

“This has been a five-year battle and I’ve reworked the plan three times considering the objections,” he said.

A management plan in collaboration with Greening Australia would be funded through the hotels profits.

The plan is to restore the whole of the hill back to what it was prior to European settlement, he said.

While Mr Morris-Nunn is open to work with those against it, he said, the accommodation is the economic driver that presents the opportunity to complete those other things.

“It’s fundamental to the restoration of the hill. If you lose that, you won’t be able to do any major remediation of this area.”

Mayor Doug Chipman believes it had attractive tourism and economic benefits that enhances the amenity for locals and visitors.