’Tragedy’: Skylands proponent says no room for compromise on 2700 dwelling masterplan for booming region
The refusal of the Skylands proposal on Monday could spell the end for the project, if the words of one of the developers are anything to go by. What Greg Carr had to say + What’s next?
Tasmania
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One of the developers behind a mega-build proposed for Droughty Point has indicated it’s the end of the line for the plan which was knocked back on Monday, saying his family will not pursue a “watered down” version.
Greg Carr told the Mercury his family was set on the 2700 dwelling plan.
“The Carr family spent three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars developing this plan that many cities around Australia and around the world are creating,” he said.
“There is no watered down plan that makes sense or that we will pursue.”
Mr Carr said the decision was a “tragedy for the future of the peninsula.”
“No longer will there be opportunities for vibrant neighbourhood centres, or safe and walkable streets, or pocket parks where children and adults gather,” Mr Carr said.
“No longer an opportunity to help ease the housing crisis with a wide variety of housing types … Densification and better use of land and infrastructure is lost.
“The magnificent hilltop park, coastal reserve and interconnecting greenways will be lost.”
Skylands decision “astonishing”, Planning Minister says
Tasmanian Planning Minister Michael Ferguson said he was astonished by the Clarence Council’s decision to knock back the Skylands proposal, saying it was a vote against common sense.
Mr Ferguson said the plan, which would result in the build of 2700 homes was an exciting prospect.
“Unfortunately, this is yet another occasion where, for whatever reason, the elected members of a Council have voted against the expert advice of their own planning department,” Mr Ferguson said.
“At a time when we need to deliver as many houses for Tasmanians as we can, this is an extraordinary vote against common sense, good planning, and due process.”
Mr Ferguson said the government supported the developer and would be exploring other options.
“It is astonishing that a such a large-scale, complex proposal should be dismissed by the elected members of a council rather than being allowed to be properly considered on its merits by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission through the standard planning scheme amendment process, which includes public exhibition and public hearings,” he said.
Meanwhile Labor’s spokesman for local government and planning, Luke Edmunds has blamed the state government for the refusal.
“Both sides of the Council debate expressed frustration on the lack of action and policy ambiguity under the Liberals on the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) when making their decision,” Mr Edmunds said.
“If the UGB was reviewed properly seven years ago when it was due, we would not be seeing critical housing refused by councils like Clarence because the rules would be clear.”
Mr Edmunds was a member of the previous Clarence Council, before he was elected as an MLC last year.
Skylands development: Clarence Council knocks back 2700 dwelling masterplan for booming region
A major development proposed for the Droughty Point has hit a setback, after the Clarence Council knocked back the masterplan on Monday.
Over the course of 40 years, 2700 dwellings would be built as part of the Skylands development, which would stretch from Tranmere and Rokeby to Droughty Point across 315ha of land.
It would include six separate neighbourhoods and incorporate a variety of different housing options, commercial spaces and 100ha of public park space and habitat reserve.
On Monday, the council considered approving the plan along with a request to extend the urban growth boundary, which was required to proceed with the plan, allowing an additional 58ha.
In a deputation provided to council, one of the developers, Greg Carr, said the masterplan wasn’t viable without housing above the urban growth boundary.
“Most neighbourhoods are already somewhat incomplete because they’re close to the shoreline,” Clarence CEO Ian Nelson read on behalf of Mr Carr.
“In development to the north, it’s rare to see anyone walking or biking, there’s a hodgepodge of housing styles and nowhere for people to gather or communities to form.”
Cr Bree Hunter, one of the councillors who recently travelled to Perth to see a similar development, said she was not convinced the urban growth boundary needed to be changed.
“I like to support visionary ideas and innovation,” Ms Hunter said.
“Our trip to Perth was insightful, I could see many benefits including public open space, front porches raised over the streets and rear laneways … I struggled to translate what I saw to the location of Droughty Point.
“I’m not comfortable with putting my name to its approval as it currently stands.
“There’s no doubt Droughty Point will be developed, but let’s do it right.”
Cr James Walker was one of three councillors who supported approval.
“Clarence is growing in sheer numbers more than anywhere else,” Mr Walker said.
“Skylands is a proposal that will do density clever and connected and indeed have that option to age in place.
“If not Skylands, then what? We only get one shot with this site.”
An alternative motion to refuse the request was moved by Ms Hunter and supported by all but three councillors.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley said the developer could return to council with an alternative proposal.
“For now, we have welcomed a further discussion with the proponents in an attempt to address concerns with their current proposal,” Mr Blomeley said.
The final decision on the urban growth boundary sits with the Planning Minister.
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