March 17th is the SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY of the Save Ralphs Bay group’s campaign against canal housing estates in Tasmania – and a very special gift has just been delivered by the Tasmanian Government.  The Canal Estates (Prohibition) Bill promised by Premier David Bartlett last year was tabled in the Parliament yesterday.

Download pdf at: http://www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/SRBMedia17Mar11A.pdf

The Canal Estates (Prohibition) Bill 2011 amends the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) to prohibit canal estate developments in Tasmania.  The Bill requires the Tasmanian Planning Commission to amend Tasmanian planning schemes accordingly, and it stipulates that a canal estate project is not eligible to be declared a Project of Regional Significance.

The Bill also amends the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 to ensure that a canal estate development proposal can never again be given Project of State Significance status in Tasmania. 

The Save Ralphs Bay group has campaigned long and hard to achieve this canal estate ban.  The ban follows the Planning Commission’s comprehensive integrated assessment and final rejection of Walker Corporation’s proposal to construct a canal housing estate on the footprint of the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area at Lauderdale.

“Save Ralphs Bay extends warm thanks to Cassy O’Connor MHA who campaigned as one of the ‘Ralphies’ for years before taking her seat in the Tasmanian Parliament, where she continues to lobby for better protection of Tasmania’s coastal areas”, said SRB spokeswoman Jane MacDonald.

“We also thank former Premier, David Bartlett, Environment Minister Brian Wightman and Planning Minister Bryan Green.  Save Ralphs Bay now calls on all three political parties to pass this Bill with tripartisan support”.

Media enquiries:
Jane MacDonald 0406 993 425
(SRB Communication Coordinator)