Fight to continue over massive redevelopment of Freycinet Resort, which wants to build 28 extra villas

A fight between a Tasmanian eco-tourism founder and a resort owner who wants to build 28 new villas at a popular holiday destination looks to be far from over.

Friendly Beaches Lodge in Tasmania.

THE tourism operator behind the Friendly Beaches Lodge, which is fighting against plans for a massive accommodation redevelopment at Freycinet Resort, has enjoyed a court win in what could be a lengthy battle.

Saltwater Lagoon Pty Ltd, which also operates the Freycinet Experience Walks, has been arguing that Glamorgan Spring Bay Council should not have granted Coles Bay Holdings a permit in 2020 to add an extra 28 villas, four staff cabins, waste and storage facilities, and extra parking to the existing Freycinet Lodge, plus refurbish its reception area.

The council received 17 representations against the development, with a subsequent challenge before the Resource Management Planning Appeal Tribunal, arguing it impacted the site’s “high priority biodiversity values”.

Saltwater Lagoon then appealed to the Full Court of the Supreme Court after the tribunal upheld the council’s approval, arguing the tribunal erred in reaching its determination.

In its judgment, reached in August but only published on Wednesday, one of those grounds was upheld, with the court remitting the case back to a differently-constituted tribunal.

Late last week, Saltwater Lagoon returned to court – asking for the case to be reopened.

Freycinet Lodge resort in Freycinet National Park.

The tourism operator asked for the order remitting the case back to the tribunal to be vacated, and for the Full Court of the Supreme Court to itself refuse Coles Bay Holdings’ permit.

But Justice Stephen Estcourt dismissed the “highly unusual” application.

“Nothing persuades us that the interests of justice require us to reopen,” he said.

The case will be heard by the tribunal at a date to be determined.

The Friendly Beaches Lodge and Freycinet Experience Walks are owned and operated by Joan Masterman, who is described on her website as “a former town planner and lover and protector of Tasmania’s vulnerable wild places”.

She created the nature experience in 1992 and is considered a founder of Tasmania’s eco-tourism trade.

Freycinet Resort, owned by Coles Bay Holdings, currently has 10 rooms and is set on 1160 acres.

It is owned by Coles Bay Holdings, whose director is listed as Tom Wang.

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