Alderman pushes for Kangaroo Bay development to be returned to local council

A mayoral candidate is questioning the future of an $80m waterfront development after it was sold to Chinese interests, saying it’s time to put it back in local hands. Read the latest on the saga.

THE future of an $80m development at Kangaroo Bay on Hobart’s Eastern Shore could be clearer in weeks as a mayoral candidate questions selling “prime waterfront real estate to Chinese interests”.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman, who is retiring after 11 years in the top job, said following a vote in favour of the development, which included a hotel and education facility, an agreement was entered into between council and Chambroad in 2017.

Clarence City Council mayor Doug Chipman who will not recontest for the position at the up coming elections. Picture: Chris Kidd

He said land had been prepared by Chambroad for a hotel on the site.

“Since then, Chambroad has experienced several setbacks, including withdrawal of the University of Tasmania from the project due to Covid related impacts,” Mr Chipman said.

“The matter was considered openly by Council in 2020 and Chambroad was later granted an extension to achieve substantial commencement by October 14 this year.

“Council has obligations under the contract as does Chambroad, and if council receives a request from Chambroad to extend their development permit before mid-October, reasonable consideration must be given as a council, before making any decision, including whether to exercise the buy-back option.”

Chambroad paid $2.4m for the site and under the agreement the council can buy the land back at the same price.

Mayoral candidate and alderman Brendan Blomeley wants the site returned to public ownership.

Mayoral candidate Alderman Brendan Blomeley Picture: Linda Higginson

“I would never have signed the deal to sell off prime waterfront real estate to Chinese interests,” Mr Blomeley said.

“We can’t buy land in China, so why on earth would we agree to sell such a jewel in our city’s crown, to them?”

“From the outset, this has been a divisive issue for our community and the fact that, some five years later, the site still lays dormant is deeply concerning.”

Mr Blomeley believes “there is a groundswell of community support” for the council to buy back the land.

His running mate for deputy, Allison Ritchie, said Kangaroo Bay was an “area of great beauty and significance to people of the Eastern Shore and should remain in the ownership of the people”.

“I believe these council elections are the most important in a generation as they represent one last chance for the people of Clarence to elect candidates that will support a return of Kangaroo Bay to public hands and act to protect other areas of significance on the Eastern Shore for future generations,” she said.