“Aspiring Liberal politician Tony Mulder seems to be practising his backflip skills prior to the state election”, said Save Ralphs Bay spokeswoman Jane MacDonald. Download pdf version at: http://www.saveralphsbay.org/pdf/SRBMediaA19Jan10.pdf

During the lead-up to local government elections last October, Ald. Mulder was asked if he personally supported a ban on canal estates within his municipality.  Ald. Mulder’s reply was, “Yes, canal developments are not necessary and environmentally inappropriate.”
Asked if he supported a statewide ban, Ald. Mulder replied, “Yes, for the same reasons.”
Yet at last Monday night’s Clarence City Council meeting, Ald. Mulder voted against Ald. David Traynor’s Motion, ‘That LGAT lobbies the State Government to introduce a ban on all canal-style developments in the State of Tasmania’.  (LGAT is the Local Government Association of Tasmania)”.

“Tony Mulder knows there is widespread opposition to canal estates in the Tasmanian community”, said Ms. MacDonald. 
“Why did he put himself on the record in October as supporting a statewide ban on this style of development and then vote against a Motion designed to promote such a ban?  As he is now an endorsed Liberal candidate for Franklin, is this the voice of Alderman Tony Mulder, or is he following a line prescribed by the Liberal Party?  Clarence City Council ratepayers have the right to know.”

Save Ralphs Bay Inc. calls on Tony Mulder to make his position clear on the issue of canal estates and whether Tasmania should follow NSW and Victoria in banning these developments. 

Canal housing estates are banned in New South Wales and Victoria because of their damaging environmental consequences.