PRESS RELEASE 24th April 2021

Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc.        rosnyhillfriends210@gmail.com

24/04/2021

 

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT:

ROSNY HILL NATURE RECREATION AREA

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

Today Rosny Hill Friends Network and members of the community rallied on Rosny Hill Nature Recreation Area to call on the Liberal and Labor Party to rule out giving authority for the private hotel development.

The newly elected Government must not allow this cherished public green space to be leased by a private developer for profit.

At the Clarence City Council meeting last Monday 19^th April, aldermen raised the question as to whether the Development Approval for a hotel on Rosny Hill had been on-sold.

RHFN remains deeply concerned because of Robert Morris-Nunn’s previously stated intention to on-sell his permit to an undisclosed developer. 

 

Given our recent experience with Kangaroo Bay, we are also concerned that any contractual obligations will not be rigorous. 

 

Does this mean that Robert Morris-Nunn will have to relinquish his “preferred Developer” status?

 

We are concerned that public open space will be leased to an unknown entity who has not been part of the application process, and who may have little concern for the needs and aspirations of the community

 

 

Beth Rees

President, Rosny Hill Friends Network Inc. 

 Errors and Omissions

This piece from Mayor Chipman, which was published in the Mercury Wednesday 27 January, contains errors and omissions. These are pointed out in red italics. In the following passage, the black text is Mayor Chipman’s. This shows the importance of asking ourselves "hey, could there be something missing in this account?"

Critique by D Hoggan with references to Council documents and fact checking with Rosny Hill Friends Network.

 

ROSNY HILL ASSET

“In the heart of Clarence and boasting one of the best vantage points in the city, Rosny Hill is an asset for all Hobartians and visitors to enjoy. While I respect the right to have a different view (“Rosny locals might be small in number but we’re big on care,” Talking Point, January 25), the approved permit to build a 60-room hotel, two restaurants and public viewing areas overlooking the River Derwent, Hobart and kunanyi/Mt Wellington will bring great benefit to the wider community. Mayor Chipman makes this statement of opinion frequently; yet at the 9^th of September 2019 Council Meeting the General Manager provided this answer in response to a Question on notice from the Community.  The bottom line states: "Consequently, there is no cost-benefit analysis available from Council"

The proposed development has been discussed by council since 2011 and been subject to consultation, debate and refinement by the preferred developer. There has been transparent community engagement by council for a decade. This is simply untrue.  The community was not surveyed or informed when Council employed a property consultant in 2012. A local community group was given a copy of the EOI, with significant pages missing in 2014. The community concerns and questions handed to the developers’ staff at Rosny Library were not published

Much of the Council’s work on this project has been COVERT, buried in agendas under vague headings  or embedded in plans and thus difficult to find. The 2010 Strategic Plan is one such document. Note the focus: prosperity, marketing and promotion

The Rosny Hill Friends Network provided its consent to the development application in December, this is a partial truth. The settlement was reached on a revised plan which shifted car parking, service trenches and water reservoirs  with the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal approving the development permit this month. More partial truth. The resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal approved changed plans and issued a permit with far stronger conditions to preserve the Natural Values for which the land was reserved and which overturned  the permit issued by Clarence City Council in January 2020. As a council, it is our role to consider the needs of all residents and make decisions in the best interests of our city. Yet the council is undertaking this role without any cost benefit analysis or survey of community opinions.

The development is well designed (just the Mayor’s OPINION!!) and will enable increased use of the Rosny Hill reserve, (but Mayor, it’s a Nature Recreation Area. Please treat it as such.) not just for residents of Clarence but for the broader community. We are proud to showcase our city through first-class developments.

 

It has been carefully designed (just  more of the Mayor’s OPINION!!)  to respect and preserve the surrounding bushland reserve and stringent planning controls promote and enhance the natural values. These stringent planning controls are thanks to the Community donations that funded the Appeal by Rosny Hill Friends Network.

 

Expert reports submitted by the parties (DEVELOPER AND COUNCIL) to the planning appeal confirm that traffic and noise concerns were not significant. That is, when compared to what is written in the 2015 Interim Planning Scheme Grounds of appeal on these concerns were withdrawn during the appeal process. These grounds were withdrawn not because  they were nothing to worry about. They were withdrawn because of the particular narrow definitions in the Planning Scheme.

We look forward to seeing the long-term benefits this world-class facility will surely bring to our city and the broader economy” 

Alderman Doug Chipman

Mayor, Clarence City Council

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 

                                                                                 to

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                             

                                                 Chuffed Crowdfunding  Chuffed - Save Rosny Hill

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/