In the Walker Corporation’s parallel universe, a development which would transform 146.5 hectares of the marine and coastal environment of Ralphs Bay into a Gold Coast style canal estate would cause only, “minimal”, “negligible” and “minor” environmental impacts.

“The Walker Corporation would like Tasmanians to believe that the construction of a major housing subdivision in Ralphs Bay would cause little more disturbance than the gentle waves rolling in and out,” said Save Ralphs Bay Inc Communications Coordinator Jane MacDonald.

“The presentation was clearly intended to smooth all anxious frowns from the foreheads of worried Tasmanians, but it is likely to have the opposite effect.  The slick reassurances that this proposed assault on nearly 150 hectares of critical estuarine habitat would be so benign to the shorebirds, the spotted Handfish and the entire web of life inhabiting the sandflats indicates the mismatch between the Corporation’s perceptions and those of concerned Tasmanians.”

Save Ralphs Bay Inc Chair, Bill Edmunds said, “The sandflats of the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area at Lauderdale are Crown Land belonging to all Tasmanians and, as such, they should not be for sale to this or any other developer.  The Ralphs Bay Conservation Area was fought for and declared in order to protect critical feeding and roosting habitat for both resident and migratory shorebirds - and that is exactly how it should stay.

“Survey after survey has shown that around 70% of the community opposes this development, and, in our experience, community opposition is as strong as ever.  Residents of the South Arm Peninsula have a very strong sense of place and we like our beautiful peninsula just the way it is. Selling off our local Conservation Area so that a developer can bring the Gold Coast to Tasmania just doesn’t sit well with the values shared by most members of our community.”

Media contacts:
Jane MacDonald 0406 993 425
Bill Edmunds 0438 341 858