The Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) is extremely disappointed with the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s decision in relation to the Stony Rise development.
Of particular concern, is the fact that the Commission was legally obliged to base its decision on the Cradle Coast Regional Land Use Strategy, which dates back to 2010, is outdated and no longer fit for purpose. The Tasmanian Government recognised this during the 2021 election campaign, committing to an update of all three Tasmanian Regional Land Use Strategies, however tangible progress has been slow.
Even more concerning, is the fact that a panel of three Commissioners – none of them embedded in the north-west coast community as far as we can tell – can overrule the will of the Devonport community as
expressed by its local representatives, the Devonport City Council. Council’s support for the Stony Rise development is neither recent nor ill informed. Rather, our Council has embarked on a long term, calculated, strategic and evidence-based approach to urban renewal with extensive community engagement along the way. Council has successfully attracted much needed private sector investment to our city, only to be told “NO” by a state-based entity.
This is not a criticism of the Commission or the Commissioners, who are simply doing their job. What we are hearing from our stakeholders, however, is that Tasmania’s land use planning system is long overdue to for an overhaul and the reform initiated in 2021 has been under resourced. Appropriate action is required to provide local communities and industry with the confidence to invest.
DCCI President, Claire Connelly, said she welcomed further discussions with Planning Minister, Felix Ellis, who had shown a genuine interest in this issue.
“Our Executive Committee recently met with Minister Ellis to discuss the status of the Government’s planning reform agenda. A focus of that conversation was the way in which the current state-based regulatory environment sometimes prevents Councils and industry from determining their own destiny. As always, the Minister showed genuine interest, and we look forward to further discussions.”
“Our view is that investments and developments of this nature will only compliment what is already available in our central business district. A mixture of small and large businesses is important for the resilience of local economies.” said Mrs Connelly.
Media Contact: President, Claire Smith M: 0439 982 880 E: president@dcci.org.au
