Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett announced on June 22 that he “accepted the [state] Planning Commission’s recommendation” to reject the Lauderdale Quays canal estate proposal at Ralphs Bay. “It found the proposal was unsustainable, and not consistent with the objectives of the planning system or the state coastal policy”, Bartlett said.
The Hobart Mercury that day reported: “Concerns were raised about the impact of the development on nesting migratory water birds, the sustainability of draining tidal flats to create a new suburb, and the long-term impact of climate change and changing sea levels on waterfront estates.”
For more than six years, locals and supporters of the Save Ralphs Bay group waged a vibrant and determined campaign against the Walker Corporation’s proposed development. Save Ralphs Bay was initially headed by Cassy O'Connor, now a Greens MHA and cabinet member.
The Mercury said: “The Greens' power-sharing in State Government will be seen as playing a role in the development's demise, but for many years politicians from all sides have been wary of supporting the plan for fear of a backlash at the polls.”
To make the news even sweeter for those fighting to protect natural coastlines, Bartlett also indicated a total ban on any future canal housing estates in Tasmania.
Save Ralphs Bay July newsletter celebrated the fact that “after being virtually ‘suspended’ since 2006, the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area now once more protects the sandflats we have fought so hard to save. In fact the Conservation Area has almost doubled in size, to 171 hectares.”
The group will now campaign “to have the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area formally annexed to the Pitt Water Orielton Ramsar-listed Wetland of International Significance … This will put Lauderdale on the map for all the right reasons and will be a stimulus for tourism.”