Coast policy tide of alarm

TASMANIAN coasts and coastal policy have been the subject of debate locally following the announcement the State Government wants to change the rules. 

Residents gathered at Dunalley Community Hall in late July to discuss proposed changes to the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy 1996.

A panel of speakers explored what the policy currently does, what changes have been proposed by the Government and what this could mean for Robbins Island in the North-West and the rest of Tasmania’s coastline. Environment Tasmania is running a series of public meetings across the state to discuss the proposed changes. 

According to ET, the proposed changes could open the Tasmanian coastline to private development by removing a clause that prohibits development on mobile coastlines. Parks and Environment Minister Nick Duigan said the proposed changes were designed to remove uncertainties around coastal infrastructure. 

“The interpretation of the policy could potentially impact on existing coastal infrastructure, including boardwalks through the dunes, fencing, lookouts, boat launching facilities, bridges, and jetties,” Mr Duigan said. 

“It has also impacted on the approval given to the Robbins Island windfarm which needs clarification.” 

Environment Tasmania marine campaigner Rebecca Howarth said the changes would be a “backward step for transparency and good governance in Tasmania’’. 

“Areas of the coast could become locked up for private development, making them inaccessible for Tasmanians, threatening the Tasmanian way of life. 

“We are calling on the members of both Houses to vote to leave the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy as it is." 

Planning Matters Alliance’s Sophie Underwood said the draft amendments raised more questions than answers. 

“It is our view that the Government’s draft legislation is designed solely to guarantee the approval of the wharf required to construct the proposed Robbins Island wind farm, but is being disguised as a solution to a much bigger problem that doesn’t exist,"

Ms Underwood said. Tasmanian Conservation Trust’s Peter McGlone said the Government was producing a smokescreen. 

“First it was jetties and boat ramps and now it includes boardwalks through dunes, fences, lookouts and even golf courses,” he said.