Supporters Update Regarding the Settlement of the Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area Appeal.

ROSNY HILL NATURE RECREATION AREA

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT: 

 

After many long months, Rosny Hill Friends Network has today accepted that we have taken this appeal as far as the process allows, to achieve an outcome consistent with the current planning laws. 

On the advice of our legal team, RHFN has undertaken a negotiated settlement, with the other parties, which allowed us to propose and negotiate conditions attached to a development permit.

This has resulted in some concessions that should help to protect threatened vegetation and its supporting habitat. 

The collage below shows just a few of the plant species that were recorded by the biologists who submitted reports.

We have been limited by the fact that RMPAT can only consider appeals that are consistent with the Planning Laws. Paradoxically, that has excluded most of our serious worries – traffic; loss of amenity; social licence; privatisation of public land; cost-benefits to the ratepayers…

RHFN remains completely opposed to this development, on grounds that are not within the scope of this Tribunal, which is limited to the existing planning scheme. 

The result of this appeal is in no way an endorsement of the development. 

We do not support the privatisation of our reserve by Clarence City Council and Hunter Developments. 

We are deeply troubled by the fact that there has never been a cost-benefit study by Council to demonstrate that the cost of supporting roads and infrastructure, and the loss of amenity, will be offset by any advantage to the local community or Clarence ratepayers. 

It will bring up to 700 vehicles daily onto the Hill and into a small suburban community; it will impose itself on the view of the hill from the city of Hobart, the River Derwent and neighbouring suburbs; it will commercialise what is now a natural, peaceful retreat – an amenity that is increasingly important to social and individual physical, mental and emotional health. 

The development has no social licence; the fact that we could arrive at this point is a measure of how much social and financial support we have received from the local community, Clarence City ratepayers, and a great many Tasmanian, Australian and overseas contributors. 

We have deep gratitude to the small committee that has worked so hard to bring us to this point, and to the generous support of the wider community that made this possible. 

Our solicitor, Alice Prichard, and barrister, Phillip Zeeman, have worked long and hard on this case, and we thank them for their commitment and sage advice. 

The fight is not over; there are still many avenues that will be pursued by this group and many others. 

 

Beth Rees

President, Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc. 

Email: rosnyhillfriends210@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

  

                                                         UPDATE ON OUR CAMPAIGN 

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It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us, sorry about that, there’s been a lot of work going on.  Here’s a brief update.

ROSNY HILL HOTEL DEVELOPMENT 

Update on the privatisation of your public land

Over a year ago, on 21st September 2019, Clarence City Council (CCC) published the Hunter Developments Application for a large hotel and restaurant complex to wrap around three sides of the Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area (RHNRA).

Along with 512 others, we lodged a submission opposing the development.  10 submissions supported it. 

Council approved the development on 22^nd January this year, and in February we lodged an appeal with the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal (RMPAT). 

IT’S BEEN A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE ! 

Many lawyers and expert witnesses were unable to represent us because of a current or former professional relationship with Hunter Developments or CCC. The Environmental Defenders Office was unable to assist us.

THE APPEAL:

With generous community donations, we engaged solicitors Fitzgerald & Browne, barrister Phillip Zeeman, and respected environmental consultant, Fred Duncan, as an expert witness to assess the potential impacts of the proposed development on the natural environment of RHNRA. 

Planning issues will be argued, but due to funding constraints, and the non-availability of expert witnesses, we were unable to pursue other possible Grounds of Appeal. 

THE PROCESS…

• 26^th February 2020 – an initial RMPAT hearing met to set a timetable. 
• A Preliminary Hearing date of 15-19^th June was agreed between the parties: the Appellants (RHFN and Tasmanian Conservation Trust) and the Respondents (Hunter Developments and CCC).
• In March, COVID-19 struck, and RMPAT began conducting its business via video link and teleconference. 
• The Respondents called for and were granted an adjournment till 7-11^th September. 
• On 3^rd September, Hunter Developments requested and was granted a further adjournment to lodge a new piece of evidence. 
• Robert Morris-Nunn released a media statement saying that Hunter Developments planned to re-route piping due to the presence of an endangered plant on the site (Sunday Tasmanian, 6 September 2020). 
• The Hearing is now set down for 10-14 December 2020.  

Hunter Developments and Clarence City Council have much greater resources to meet these unexpected and additional costs as the case progresses, which leaves us in a vulnerable position.  

For further details of this process, you can email
rosnyhillfriends210@gmail.com

for a copy of the Annual (President’s) Report

WHAT NOW?

• RHFN is continuing to fund-raise.
• RHFN Committee is reviewing all of the documentation to contribute to our case.
• We are increasing our campaign via the media, and contacts with Politicians, Councillors and Ministers, to maintain awareness of the environmental and community values of Rosny Hill as a Nature Recreation Area, and our determination to protect it.
• We will update you on any significant developments. 

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO CONSIDER:

• Writing letters, emails or social media comments to keep the issues in the public/political eye
• Talking to a RHFN Committee member if you have ideas or questions  
• (President 0400 156 340; Vice-President 0435 214 164) 

• making a (further) financial contribution towards the Appeal legal costs 
• Bank account BSB 632 001, Account 100 197 241; 
• cheques to Rosny Hill Friends Inc, PO Box 535, Rosny Park 7018

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OVER THE PAST YEAR.

With your help, we will continue to oppose this big, intrusive, inappropriate hotel/tourist development on Rosny Hill.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ROSNY HILL FRIENDS NETWORK

 Presidents Report from the Annual General Meeting of Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc.

The Network has been active for 5 years. The President, Beth Rees, is pleased to publish our first Annual Report as an incorporated Not for Profit Organisation.

Beth Rees

President 2019 / 2020 

During the Covid-19 Lockdown period, Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area was at its peaceful best, uplifting the many who walked there.

If you want to be a supporter in the fight for appropriate development, rather than OVER development, you can make a donation by:

                                                 Internet Banking  BSB 632-001,  Account 100197241                             

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