The East Coast Alliance (ECA) was formed by a small group of community volunteers concerned about the potential impacts of the Cambria Green Specific Area Plan and Masterplan. The ECA is not opposed to, and supports, appropriate, reasonable, and sustainable development.
The ECA is now more than ever focused on presenting a strong case against the Cambria Green Draft Amendment and proposed development.
What is happening with the Cambria Green project?
Following ongoing communication between the Tasmanian Planning Commission, the proponents and individuals concerned about the legality of the Cambria rezoning application, a public hearing on jurisdictional issues only was held on Friday 30 August 2019 in Hobart.
On Friday 22 November 2019, the Tasmanian Planning Commission published a decision stating it had no jurisdiction to hear the Cambria Draft Amendment.
The decision was made because the Commission was not satisfied on the evidence that the landowners had properly given consent to the rezoning request. It means the draft planning scheme amendment to allow for the Cambria Green development was invalid, and the amendment would not continue to be heard by the Commission.
Questions need to be asked:
Are the proponents stalling and if so why?
What are they planning now?
Are the proponents preparing another application to lodge?
Or preparing to make an application to gain Major project status?
Cambria and the Major Projects Bill
After extensive planning and legal advice, it is our understanding that the espoused intent of the Major Projects Bill is vastly different to how the Bill could potentially be used. Of major concern to the East Coast Alliance is the potential, should the proponents lose or withdraw their case in the Supreme Court, for the Cambria Green project to be reworked as ‘development ready’ and submitted to be declared a major project under the new legislation.
This would overturn the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission decision and make the Supreme Court case irrelevant. Most importantly, it would rule out any opportunity for a planning appeal against the Cambria Green project.
The East Coast Alliance asserts that the Major Projects Bill does not afford procedural fairness and removes community democratic rights. It diminishes the community’s ability to have an input in the social, economic, and environmental future of Tasmania.
For more information, visit our website at www.eastcoastalliance.com.au or get in touch via ecatassie@gmail.com.
Supreme Court Appeal
Following this momentous decision, on 2 February 2020, Cambria Green Agriculture and Tourism Management Pty Ltd applied for a judicial review in the Supreme Court. As part of the Court process, a second mention hearing took place on Monday 16 March in the Tasmanian Supreme Court in Hobart before the Honourable Chief Justice Blow. The Attorney-General was approved as the party representing the Tasmanian Planning Commission. A further 28 days was granted for various matters, including the provision, by Cambria Green, of all relevant documents to the court.
What is the latest news?
To date, the applicants have failed to provide the requested documents, no further mention hearings have been held and no date has been set for a full hearing. Considering this disappointing lack of response by Cambria Green Agriculture and Tourism Management Pty Ltd to the Supreme Court orders of 16 March 2020, the East Coast Alliance has sought legal advice regarding the delay in appeal processes.