Today, the Minister for Planning has declared that the $50m Chambroad hotel proposed for Kangaroo Bay in Clarence is not eligible to be assessed as a Major Project.
Minister for Planning, Michael Ferguson noted the project did not meet the required criteria under planning laws but is an excellent local project for our state.
“The planning legislation requires a proposal to be meet at least two of the three eligibility criteria to be declared a major project. These cover regional benefits and impacts; the range of planning and other approvals required; and the complexity of the project,” Minister Ferguson said.
“In making my decision I have taken advice from the Government’s planning experts who have carefully considered the proposal and sought advice from a range of councils, Government agencies and adjoining landowners.
“I have concluded that while the hotel would be significant for the local area, it does not have the regional impacts or complexity required for a major project.
“There have been two projects previously declared as Major Projects – the $786 million new Bridgewater Bridge and the $2.7 billion North East Wind Project.
“While the Government would like to see this project proceed, it should be assessed without prejudice by the Clarence City Council as a normal development application.
“I instead urge the Clarence City Council to carry out its legal obligations under the planning legislation as a planning authority, should the hotel be submitted for approval under the regular assessment process,” Minister Ferguson concluded.
The Government is also introducing a new process where proponents are concerned that developments will be subject to unreasonable bias and political decisions can instead be assessed impartially by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission. That future planning pathway may be of interest to the proponents.
The Minister will introduce new legislation establishing the new pathway Development Assessment Panels early in 2024.
