Conservationists concerned new laws could clear way for Cambria Green

The massive east coast project is currently stalled in planning appeals, but a peak conservation groups says it could be fast-tracked if a new law is passed.

• Cambria Green launches challenge to planning commission
• Major project law strikes right balance, Premier says

THE government’s major projects laws could clear the way for the controversial Cambria Green development to proceed on the state’s east coast, the Tasmanian Conservation Trust says.

The 3,000 hectare Cambria Green development mega-development, near Swansea includes a luxury hotel, 200 villas, a golf course, international conference centre/wedding venue and retirement and health facilities, including a crematorium.

The new laws will replace old Projects of Regional Significance rules, which have never been used, and will apply to major projects which are high value or complex, or declared as a major project by the Planning Minister or their developers.

The legislation are expected to be passed by parliament after Labor gave its in-principle support.

Director of the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Peter McGlone

TCT Director Peter McGlone said the Cambria Green project could get the green light to proceed under the legislation.

“On 22 November 2019, the Tasmanian Planning Commission refused the request by the Cambria Green proponent for a planning scheme amendment because it was not convinced the letters of landowner consent had been provided by the true owners of the land,” he said.

“The draft Major Projects Bill reappeared four weeks later after having disappeared for two years.

Cambria Green resort project at Dolphin Sands. Aerial view of the site.

“The Cambria proposal is stuck in the Supreme Court because of questions around the legitimacy of signatures and other evidence used on landowner consent documents.”

“If Cambria were declared a major project, it would solve the developer’s problems overnight.”

Mr McGlone said the Major Projects Bill removed the hurdles that require a developer to demonstrate legitimate landowner consent.”

“They’ve created a fast track for Cambria, a loophole that means Tasmanians might never find out who the real land owners are,” he said.

“It’s almost as if Gutwein and Jaensch sat down and designed the Major Project’s Bill to rescue Cambria Green.”

“The timing of this legislation, apparently abandoned for two years, coming so soon after the court case and Commission’s decision is highly suspect.”

But Planning Minister Roger Jasensch said the proposed law would not apply.

“We have consistently said the Major Projects legislation provides no fast-tracks, shortcuts or easy routes, nor is it designed to facilitate any particular project.

“Any suggestion it will be used to bypass normal processes to approve controversial projects is simply wrong, and deliberately misleading.

“The Cambria Green proposal is not a development proposal, but an application for a planning scheme amendment.

“The Major Projects process won’t deal with applications of this type.”

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