Kingborough ratepayers set to fight council's new planning consultant move
Hundreds of angry Kingborough residents are set to confront council tonight over a contentious plan to resolve zoning disputes through an independent consultant.
The Kingborough Council will tonight vote on appointing an independent planning consultant to try to resolve a stoush over controversial zoning changes.
Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said council acknowledged some landowners were concerned about how the Landscape Conservation Zone (LCZ) may impact their ability to use their land.
“While there has been some misinformation in the community regarding this, Council will consider a motion to bring in an independent expert to prepare a response to the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s direction to Council last week and subsequently consider the application of Special Area Plans,” she said.
“By engaging an independent consultant, Council is ensuring an extra level of transparency and reassurance for the community during this process.”
However, Alison Rogers who expects a big contingent of residents at tonight’s meeting, many of whom will ask questions without notice, said they did not believe a consultant was “necessarily the best pathway”.
“It will be a very costly exercise — at ratepayers’ expense, and we’ve been told may impact other budgetary matters — and a very time involved process, that will only cause delays across the whole of the municipality,” she said.
“Our preference would be that the process isn’t interrupted.
“It will come down to how the consultant decides to view ratepayers’ wishes and whether they will hold the council position or make changes.
“We understand that the council needed to consider any legal implications with respect to our wishes hence the changes. However, yet again they have made a determination without discussions with ratepayers.
“We don’t want LCZ applied to privately owned residential property full stop.”
Ms Rogers said many of the hundreds of ratepayers affected by the changes were disappointed that the council motion was not the resolution passed at a public meeting and she was unsure if it would resolve residents’ concerns.
But Ms Wriedt stressed elected members and staff were working hard to ensure the implementation of a new planning scheme delivered the best result for the community.
“Council understands this has created concern for some residents, which is why we’ve listened carefully to feedback and explored alternatives,” she said.
“When preparing the draft Local Provisions Schedule, Council was required to follow guidelines set by the State Government.
“These guidelines meant that some properties had to change to new zones because they didn’t exist in the new scheme.
“I am confident we can deliver an appropriate balance for our community, while recognising the concerns that have been raised regarding this process.
“Council will ensure the community is kept informed and has the information it needs as the Commission hearings continue.”
Deputy mayor Clare Glade-Wright, who attended a recent public meeting, said the motion showed the council was working collaboratively with the community and council CEO to “come up with a solution”.
Councillor Aldo Antolli, who also attended the meeting, said if the council had been more consultative it would not have to bear the cost of a consultant.
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