Libs fear canal ban backlash
Updated
The Opposition wants to examine the investment effects of canal estate ban. (Walker Corporation)
The Tasmanian Opposition is worried that a ban on canal estates could affect future investment in Tasmania.
The Liberals have welcomed the Planning Commission's decision to reject the Ralph's Bay development on Hobart's eastern shore on the grounds it was not environmentally sustainable.
After the decision, the Premier David Bartlett announced a ban on canal estates.
Liberal Leader Will Hodgman says the effects on investment should be examined.
"We'd want to look at the detail, we'd need to be convinced but we will undertake the due diligence to ensure it's not going to have counterproductive effects," he said.
Cabinet secretary Cassy O'Connor says the ban is partly due to Greens members in cabinet.
"It's hard to imagine that six months ago, a year ago, six and a half years ago [that] we'd have a Labor premier announcing a move to protect Tasmania's beautiful coastline," she said.
Walker Corporation is yet to comment on the rejection of its $300 million proposal.
Tasmania's peak business group says the state's planning guidleines must now be clarified quickly.
Mr Bartlett says the ban will give developers greater certainty about what will be approved.
The head of Tasmania's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Robert Wallace, says investors want clearer planning laws.
"If there are clear and concise areas which are no-go areas, be it due to sensitivity of the environment or lack of services in those particular areas, then developers can see those up-front," he said.
"They're going to be in a position where they can very early in the stages of a proposal decide whether it's going to be financially viable to them or not."
The head of Tasmania's property council, Mary Massina, wants the planning laws simplified to encourage more development in Tasmania.
"The fact that the Premier has said that he is going to clarify the planning system and provide greater certainty to the development sector is a very good signal to the market."
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