A joint Save Ralphs Bay, Birds Tasmania and Environment Tasmania survey of candidates for election to Clarence, Hobart and Kingborough councils was conducted over the last few days. Results can be viewed by clicking on this link: http://srb.pmhclients.com/index.php/common/questionnaire/

Highlights of the survey responses include:
- Just 2 candidate out of the 30 who have responded to the survey so far has indicated support for the proposed Ralphs Bay canal estate development, and 2 were uncertain.
- 12 of the 18 Clarence City Council candidates have now responded to the survey.  All 12 indicate their opposition to the development; none support it.
- 10 of the 13 Hobart City Council candidates have now responded to the survey.  Of these 7 indicate their opposition to the development; 1 supports it, 1 prefers to wait for the outcome of the assessment process and one makes no comment on this question.
- 8 of the 13 Kingborough Council candidates have now responded to the survey.  Of these 6 indicate their opposition to the development and 1 supports the development subject to approval. One reserves comment.
- Candidates in all three municipalities showed strong support for a comprehensive, adequate and representative network of Marine Protected Areas in Tasmania to protect marine biodiversity. Only 2 candidates out of 27 did not support the creation of marine protected areas; 26 were in favour and 2 indicated uncertainty or gave qualified responses.
- Candidates were generally supportive of canal estate bans, with 20 in favour of a canal estate ban as part of their municipality’s Planning Scheme, 6 unsure on this question and only 3 against the idea. Some Kingborough Council candidates were pleased and relieved that their municipality had already brought in a canal estate ban, back in 2000.
- Other questions in the survey related to candidates’ knowledge of the national and international significance of southeast Tasmania for resident and migratory shorebirds; actions needed to protect coastal habitats and wildlife; the Derwent Estuary Program’s Water Quality Improvement Plan for heavy metals and preparations for climate change and sea level rise.
Most candidates indicated interest in and some knowledge of these topics, but many said they would learn more if elected. Several Clarence City Council candidates pointed to the major climate change study already carried out by their municipality.
Voting in the local council elections continues until October 27th.