Download a pdf version at: http://www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/SRBMedia18Mar10A.pdf

ELEVEN of the seventeen candidates running in Franklin attended or were represented at the Save Ralphs Bay Candidates Forum in Lauderdale Hall last night.  A lively crowd of Save Ralphs Bay supporters packed the hall, standing three deep at the back.

NONE of the candidates indicated any support for the proposed Ralphs Bay canal estate.

The biggest applause of the night was heard for Nick McKim and for Ross Butler, both staunch supporters of the Save Ralphs Bay campaign.

Minister Lara Giddings spoke of the government’s support of the independent planning process, but showed no liking for the canal estate proposal.  “My natural inclination is, I’m not sure canal estates fit in well in Tasmania.” Minister Giddings supported a parliamentary enquiry into a canal estate ban, by the Joint House Committee on Environment, Resources and Development.

Nick McKim’s response was, “Personally, I don’t need a parliamentary committee to tell me that I don’t want to see a single canal estate in our beautiful state.  The Tasmanian Greens have always, and proudly, stood shoulder to shoulder with this community, who have worked so hard, at such cost in time and money.  I still have a Save Ralphs Bay sticker on my car and I’m looking forward to the day when I can take a big fat texta and add the letter ‘d’ to the word ‘Save’”.

Mr. McKim reminded the crowd that, “This obscene proposal is still not dead”.  He pointed out that the Tasmanian Greens have released a comprehensive Coastal Protection Policy and called repeatedly for the release of the State Coastal Policy.  The government started a review of the State Coastal Policy in 2004, and the final policy has not been released.

Vanessa Goodwin MLC spoke on behalf of Will Hodgman, who was unable to attend.  Speaking personally, Ms. Goodwin said, “I am not a fan, and am unlikely to ever be a fan of this development.” Speaking of her childhood in Acton and horse riding in the Ralphs Bay area, Ms. Goodwin said, “It’s beautiful – and windy.  I’m not sure I’d like to live there!” Ms. Goodwin said, “The Liberals have consistently raised concerns about the social, environmental and community impacts of this development, and ramifications for Clarence City Council and Clarence ratepayers, if it doesn’t go according to plan.  The Liberals support the independent Planning Commission and support sensible development – but not at any cost, not development which has deleterious consequences for the community and the environment.”

Speaking about the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s Draft Integrated Assessment Report (DIAR), released last October, Ms. Goodwin said it was a comprehensive, evidence-based report.  “I can’t tell you how delighted I was when I heard the Draft Recommendation, and I was even more delighted when I read it and saw how unequivocal it was.”

Ross Butler MHA said, “This is a simple matter.  I’m sick and tired of hearing the word, ‘process’.  This is about principle, not process.  The very concept of this development is abhorrent.  When the ex-senator (Graham Richardson) came to see the Premiers of the time, they should have said, ‘Graham, get back in the taxi’.  This should never got to this stage.”

To great applause, Mr. Butler stated, “If I get re-elected, there will be someone sitting on the cross benches if the wrong decision gets made.”

Speaking after Mr. Butler, Liberal Tony Mulder warmed to the same theme, saying, “Would Tony Mulder cross the floor if my party was dumb enough to make the wrong decision?  Yes, I would.”

Socialist Alliance candidate Jenny Forward spoke of her love of the area, especially, “that first glimpse of the water as you drive into Lauderdale, the light on the sandflats and the mountain in the distance.  The social and environmental impacts (of the proposed development) far outweigh any benefits.  Public land should not be privatised in the interest of private profit.”

Adam Burling (Tasmanian Greens) said, “None of us should be here tonight, if the government was doing its job – this obscene development wouldn’t have got this far.  If it can happen here (at Ralphs Bay) where can it not happen?”

David O’Byrne (Labor) said, “My gut read is – I don’t like canal estates.  I think they’re ugly.  On the independent assessment process, Mr. O’Byrne said, “I absolutely support resourcing communities to fight big corporations.”

Jacquie Petrusma (Liberal) was, “very well aware of the beauty and majesty of Ralphs Bay.” She was concerned about the environmental, community and economic impacts of the proposal.

Jillian Law (Liberal) spoke of her personal experience of living in a Queensland canal estate for many years and said, “I would never recommend it to anyone.”

Wendy Heatley (Greens) advocated community-led development, saying, “I want development that protects our community life, our natural environment, our birdlife.  Ralphs Bay is symptomatic of long-standing governance problems in Tasmania.  We need principles-based planning, values-based government with respect and integrity, taking the needs of future generations into account.  Ralphs Bay is a Conservation Area and should be kept that way. Legislation should be used to enact the will of the people, not to defeat it.”

Click here to read Candidates’ responses to Save Ralphs Bay questionnaire: http://srb.pmhclients.com/index.php/common/questionnaire2/.

The forum ended with a chorus of “Happy Birthday to you” to mark Save Ralphs Bay’s 6th anniversary (and Labor candidate David O’Byrne’s birthday).

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