Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc. Lodges DA

MEDIA RELEASE 

Rosny Hill Friends Network - new proposal for Rosny Hill reserve

23 August 2019

Today we have submitted a development application to the Clarence City Council

for our Re-imagining Rosny Hill Concept Master Plan.

We are concerned that the current tourism hotel development proposal would be too big and damaging for this small hill top which is reserved for nature, recreation and education. 

President Beth Rees said that the community is fed up with large, unsuitable proposals being put forward for Rosny Hill. 

“We’ve taken the positive step of preparing an alternative proposal that protects the natural environment, provides a beautiful lookout and refreshment for visitors, and supports recreation, health and wellbeing. Our proposal is financially responsible, has community support and, importantly, is consistent with the purpose of reservation of Rosny Hill under Tasmania’s Nature Conservation Act” said Ms Rees.

Beth Rees

President 

Rosny Hill Friends Network

Details of the Master Plan.

There you have it:  visual representations of what the Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc. consider to be appropriate development scale.
The group is fully aware, because we surveyed our community, that the major concerns with this Nature Recreation Area are anti social behaviour, mainly as cars doing burnouts, and littering. These  do not need a tourist hotel to prevent them. In 2011, In the RHNRA Management Strategy,  Council expressed its intention of exploring a boom gate. Since then the community has heard little more about this. Indeed the first bin was installed at the lookout only in 2018.

We must reproduce the concept plan as individual pictures, but if you are on our mailing list, contact us at                                                   rosnyhillfriends210@gmail.com            for more information.

The DA HAS BEEN LODGED

The General Manager of Clarence City Council gave Landowner Approval for the lodgement of the Hunter Developments DA this week. Community members got a quick glimpse of the the Concept on July 2 but no technical drawings were seen.

Council has 42 business days from the lodgement date to consider the application.

If they seek more information, the "clock is stopped" until the proponent provides it.

THOUGHT ABOUT WRITING A LETTER?

Here are some resources...

Letter of Concern regarding Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area.

Dear Friends, 

Here is a copy of a letter sent to Clarence City Council. It is reproduced with the writer’s permission.

“After viewing the latest developer's proposal my concerns are:

- Development footprint is still much too big for Rosny Hill and not consistent with RHNRA Management Strategy. I can see large swathes of bush land/habitat lost to the buildings and massive car park.
And during construction on sloping terrain, even more bush/habitat will be lost.

-  Proposed restaurant is more than 3 metres above road level in lookout area.  This means current 180-degree panoramic view from public lookout road area will be lost.

- Despite assurances from the proponents last night,
I am yet to be convinced in future the general public will have the same access to enjoy the nature and views of the area. Over time what restrictions can the hotel owner impose?

- It is a concern to me that not only the proposed leased area will by managed by the hotel. From what I gather the whole RHNRA will be managed by the hotel with input from others like Greening Australia.
This rings alarm bells to me as I have no confidence the conservation values in the RHNRA will be respected based on what is proposed within the leased area.”

You could modify the above letter, or write one of your own 

What are your concerns?

You could consider some of these possibilities should the development be approved:  

·     Accessto the Nature Recreation Area once a hotel operator is in control

·     Buildingin a High Biodiversity Protection Area

·     Car parkand other construction will change water run off

·     Clearingof bushland  would be necessary to provide fire barrier for buildings

·     Destructionof threatened native orchids and other species

·     Excavationof hilltop rock for lower storey of the hotel

·     Lossof a peaceful green hilltop as the focus for local residents

·     Trafficincreases in the area

·     Vibrationsduring construction transmitted through bedrock to local properties

·     Your other concerns,which probably should come first

Letters to Council have far more impact if they are expressed in your own words.

For your information, the hotel still has 60 units and a dining room for 120 people.

There is also a proposed café. 

We urge you to send an email to the Clarence City Mayor, Alderman and General Manager. You can find the emails of the Aldermen here. https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/your-council/how-council-works/aldermen/