The Walker Corporation’s long-awaited draft Integrated Impact Statement (IIS) has finally arrived, and Save
Ralphs Bay Inc. is well prepared to respond.
“The entire IIS document will be thoroughly scrutinized by experts in all the relevant fields”, said
Submission Coordinator, Jane MacDonald.
“We have experts lined up in all the key areas, and a strong team ready to show that the proposed canal
estate will have an unacceptable impact and is not wanted in Tasmania. In addition, we have an extensive
and very strong community of supporters, many of whom will be making submissions in response to the
developer’s IIS. We encourage all concerned Tasmanians to make submissions to the Resource Planning
and Development Commission (RPDC) before the deadline of 6 April. Every submission is of value, whether
you are an expert or not.”
Bill Edmunds, SRB Chair added, “We know that many, many Tasmanians have very strong reactions to this
proposal to bulldoze the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area. We are well prepared to fight for Ralphs Bay, and
win. It is almost five years now since Save Ralphs Bay Inc. was formed. Of course, we have nothing like the
financial and staffing resources that the developer can call on, but we’re well prepared to knuckle down and
prove our case.”
Save Ralphs Bay supporters have a wide spectrum of concerns, including
· the loss of habitat for resident and migratory shorebirds
· the loss of a valued windsurfing area and treasured vistas across the sandflats to Mt. Wellington
· the loss of the ecosystem services provided by the sandflats, including maintenance of water quality
in the estuary
· threats to the Spotted Handfish and the saltmarshes fringing the bay
· the sale of a Conservation Area to a developer for a canal housing estate of a style banned in Victoria
and NSW
· the impact of heavy trucks on local roads during a seven year construction phase
· hundreds more cars on the roads leading to the Tasman Bridge
· and, the sheer arrogance of the Walker Corporation’s claims that such a development would be
“uniquely Tasmanian.”
For additional background material please refer to the following attached documents:
1. Brief history of the campaign to save Ralphs Bay, 2004-2009:
http://www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/BG_HistoryFeb09.pdf
2. Canal estate bans, and excerpts from the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008:
http://www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/BG_CanalEstateBansFeb09.pdf
Media queries:
Jane MacDonald 0406 993 425 (Submission & Communication Coordinator)
Bill Edmunds 0438 341 858 (SRB Chair)