Members and supporters of Save Ralphs Bay Inc will gather at Parliament House in Hobart at 4.00 p.m. today (Wednesday 17/11/04) to hear their elected representatives debate – for the first time - the Walker plan for the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area.

A motion put forward by Franklin MHA, Nick McKim, calls on the House to note the strong community opposition to the Walker proposal; acknowledge the environmental threat; note that canal estates are banned in New South Wales; note the secrecy of negotiations between the Government and the developer; and calls on the Lennon Government to immediately inform Walker Corporation that their proposal is inappropriate. 

The motion is expected to be introduced at 4.45 p.m. and SRB Inc is urging MPs to not only attend the debate, but to put aside cynical politicking and address with sincerity what is the most serious threat Tasmania’s coastline has confronted to date.

The debate will be the first opportunity the Tasmanian community has to determine where politicians from all three parties stand on this critical issue.  SRB Inc will be extremely interested to hear what MPs – particularly those in the Franklin electorate – have to say about a development that has sparked intense opposition across Tasmania.

SRB Inc is aware that the conventional approach of the Government is to amend motions put forward by other parties, but at the very least the Lennon Government should acknowledge, and have recorded in Hansard, that the community is against this development. 

Anything less will be a demonstration of contempt for the clear wish of the people who will be most affected and feel most strongly about the threat the Walker plan poses to their environment and their lifestyle.

Media contacts:  Cassy O’Connor 0400 628 939 or Thomas Moore 0409 681 127