MEDIA RELEASE: FULL HOUSE AS OVER 70 MEMBERS OF NORTH WEST TAS COMMUNITY COME OUT IN THE COLD RAIN IN SUPPORT OF COASTS AND ROBBINS ISLAND IN FACE OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO STATE COASTAL POLICY

Over 70 residents and community groups from North West of Tasmania filled the Wynyard Yacht Club last night in support of protecting coasts and Robbins Island from proposed changes to the Tasmanian State Coastal Policy 1996.

Passionate speakers presented to the crowd who carried placards with  slogans such as "Protect our Coasts", "Save Robbins Island", "No Changes to the Coastal Policy" and "Public consultation NOW on Coastal Policy changes'.

The event was attended by Braddon MP's Craig Garland and Miriam Beswick. All other local MP's and MLC's could not attend.

Craig Garland MP said "The Liberal government shouldn't mess with our coastlines. Community and the environment should be the first priority, not a corporate agenda. They're walking over everyone and everything with their agenda."

Wildlife carer Alice Carson said: "It was really great to see so many people out on a dreadful rainy Friday night. I believe it shows some hope for the future. Due process absolutely needs to be applied  with regards to any proposed changes to the Coastal Policy."

Rebecca Howarth,  organiser and Marine Campaigner for 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.”

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.

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