Residents gathered at Dunalley Community Hall last night in a show of support for their coasts and 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 and the rest of the coastline. Their voice was heard loud and clear: coastlines are extremely important to Tasmanians and their way of life, and they need protecting.

Environment Tasmania is running a series of public meetings across the state to discuss the proposed changes to the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy 1996. The proposed changes could potentially open up the Tasmanian coastline to private development by removing a clause that prohibits development on mobile coastlines. It is also apparent the government intends to fast-track these proposed changes via parliament, circumventing the standard legislated public consultation process.

Drew McPherson, National Campaigns Director at Surfrider Foundation Australia said:

“With a lifestyle that’s based around these incredible coastlines, Tasmanians have a role to play in protecting and advocating for them. There's a whole range of industries, owned by multi-national corporations that are looking at these coastlines and seeing dollar signs and if we don’t stand up for the interest of community and the future of coastal culture we'll lose it all not just for us, but for future generations.”

Rebecca Howarth, Senior Marine Campaigner at Environment Tasmania said:

“Should these changes go ahead, it 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.”

Sophie Underwood, State Director of Planning Matters Alliance said:

"The State Government’s Draft Validation (State Coastal Policy) Act 2024 raises more questions than it answers and demonstrates the government’s arrogancy and contempt for the public and the parliament. 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."

Peter McGlone, Director of Tasmanian Conservation Trust said

"The Minister produces a smokescreen, claiming a need to validate an ever-growing list of structures in actively mobile landforms. First it was jetties and boat ramps, and now it includes boardwalks through dunes, fences, lookouts and even golf courses. If this is true why is the Minister unable to identify one single example of a structure that has its approval in doubt?"

Environment Tasmania is concerned that the proposed amendments, which are retrospective amendments, would facilitate the construction of infrastructure for Robbins Island Wind Farm (a 510m jetty), undermining the current Supreme Court Appeal against the development by conservation and community groups.The EPA was forced to join the appeal when it became apparent that they had erred in the law by not ensuring compliance with the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy. These series of events are evidently connected to the retrospective amendments sought to the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy; all the more reason for the government to follow the legislated, consultative process.

On legal advice, which they will not disclose, the government claims the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy has been applied in a way that places the legal status of numerous jetties around the state in doubt, and this in itself threatens the ‘Tasmanian way of life’.

Asserting that “Tasmania’s way of life” is being threatened by the Tasmanian Coastal Policy which protects the coasts that Tasmanians love to enjoy, is contentious.  It is also underhand to not provide the public with evidence of the legal advice received or the locations of the jetties, the legal status of which is apparently threatened.

Tasmania is the stronghold for tens of thousands of shorebirds, and sites like Robbins Island Passage meet eight out of the ten criteria to be designated a Ramsar site. To open up the coast to private development will threaten the very habitats these shorebirds rely on.

Many Tasmanians centre their lifestyle around the coast and enjoy having easy access. Fishing, swimming, diving and surfing are some of the ways that Tasmanians enjoy the coasts. This is very much “Tasmania’s way of life”.

Environment Tasmania is calling for the government to:

1. Stop its attempt to amend the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy, ensuring there is no impact to the Robbins Island Supreme Court case.

2. Any proposed changes to the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy must follow the existing, legislated public consultation process.

3. If, as the State Government asserts, the legality of existing structures such as jetties and wharves is in doubt, they have a responsibility to the Tasmanian community to release the legal arguments (if not the legal advice) supporting these assertions to ensure transparency in the proposal.

Click here to read the Background Report written by Planning Matter Alliance (PMAT).

Click here to read the state government’s media release from 6th May 2024.

MEDIA CONTACT: REBECCA HOWARTH 0493 395868