The results of Senator Paul Calvert’s survey of eastern shore residents confirm what Save Ralphs Bay Inc has said since March this year – that community opposition is strong, and that people value their bay over monstrous corporate profits to be made by the likes of Walker Corporation at the expense of Tasmania’s unspoiled coastline, SRB Inc said today. 

“We now know from this result and an earlier community survey sent out by Franklin MHR Harry Quick in June, that opposition is at around 70% of residents.  It was clear then, and it’s clear now that the community does not want this development,” said SRB Inc representative, Cassy O’Connor.

“It is no longer possible for anyone on the developer’s side to describe opposition to the destruction of Ralphs Bay as the voice of a vocal minority.

“The community has responded.  The State Government must now stand by its commitment, made by both the Premier and the Environment Minister, that public opinion would be weighed in any decision on whether to allow the proposal to proceed through the planning process.”

Save Ralphs Bay Inc believes the time to send the Walker concept to the Ministerial bin is now.   No development which is so unpopular, and so patently contravenes all sensible environmental planning principles - particularly those set down in the State Coastal Policy - should be given Project of State Significance Status.

“It is obvious from the surveys conducted to date, and our own community consultation, that those most affected by the proposal cannot see any merit in allowing the process to proceed any further.” 

The surveys reveal widespread recognition that the Ralphs Bay proposal represents a major threat to coastal, lifestyle and aesthetic values, and that a public bay, Conservation Area and internationally significant bird habitat do not represent ‘real estate’.

Save Ralphs Bay Inc would like to thank Senator Calvert and his office for committing the resources to conducting this survey.  It is an indication of the level of concern over the future of Ralphs Bay, that SRB Inc has forged ties across the party-political spectrum at a local, state and federal level.

“With such a body of opposition to the Walker plan across public and political life in Tasmania, the State Government and the developer must see the writing is on the wall for this canal estate nightmare,” Ms O’Connor said.

* While the Walker Corporation has set no date for the delivery of its final proposal to government, SRB Inc will be releasing the results of its own community consultation later this month.
  
Media contacts:  Cassy O’Connor 0400 628 939    or  Jane MacDonald  6239 9589
  
Cassy O’Connor
Save Ralphs Bay Inc
(m) 0400 628 939
http://www.saveralphsbay.org

Download the 15.09.04 Media Release (PDF)