Letters to the Editor
November 29, 2019
Council code of conduct must not put free speech at risk | Anna Reynolds
PEOPLE often ask me why their representatives on council aren’t more outspoken about the big issues that shape our city.
This can be frustrating for residents who expect their elected representatives to express opinions on their behalf.
November 13, 2017
New plans for Kangaroo Bay | The Mercury
THE proponents behind the controversial Kangaroo Bay proposal have lodged revised plans for the multimillion-dollar development after a sustained campaign by concerned residents. But even if the new plans are approved by the Clarence City Council, the developers behind the project can still proceed with the original design that has angered some residents.
August 16, 2017
Clarence City Council: no reveal of public land sale price
Following a closed Council meeting Council will not reveal the sale price of the development site. Mayor Doug Chipman advised that disclosure of the price is not appropriate at this stage as Chambroad Petrochemicals do not want the price to be released.
August 20, 2017
Developer banked $36 million | Clay Lucas
In 2014 a developer and Liberal party donor, gained approval from the then Liberal government planning minister to build a 31 storey building on a site which had a preferred height limit of only 13 storeys. The justification for the size increase was a gift to a children's centre for Melbourne High school that was to be built as a part of the project. The centre remains unbuilt. After getting approval for the new height limit, the developer sold the site to Chinese and Malaysian companies for a $36million profit. The local mayor at the time of the approval said the decision was ill advised and 'made behind closed doors'. The Minister who assisted with the approval is now opposition leader in Victoria and you may have heard was caught out in a lobster lunch with a supposed mafia connection.
July 04, 2017
Editorial: Planning for the people | The Mercury
The Shandong Chambroad project at Kangaroo Bay and the proposal for Wirksworth at Bellerive have attracted vocal and organised opposition from community members. Central to the overlapping campaigns is a sense in the community the consultation from state and local government has been inadequate.
June 30, 2017
Clarence City Council | Meeting 13 June 2017 | Audio "issues" re: Kangaroo Bay questions
Some strange issues with the audio when GM Andrew Paul is answering questions about the Kangaroo Bay development from Alderman Richard James at the Clarence City Council meeting on 13 June 2017. This is unfortunate given these questions were asked during Questions Without Notice and there are no minutes.
This clip has been cut from the full Council meeting video which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IF5DCis3n0. This section is from the 1:13 mark
June 21, 2017
Kangaroo Bay community concerns being ignored | The Mercury
IT is difficult to understand Mayor Doug Chipman’s confusion about why the community he represents is angry and upset about the development approved for Kangaroo Bay, expressed in the community meeting on the June 4.
He was there. He heard why.
June 14, 2017
Talking Point_ Bay proposal critics need to know the facts | The Mercury
SINCE Clarence City Council approved a development application for a hotel and hospitality school at Kangaroo Bay on January 23, there have been several public meetings, a petition of approximately 1700 names submitted to Parliament and a
bevy of letters to the editor expressing rage about the development.
April 11, 2017
Hodgman Must Explain $2.5M Crown Land Gift | Rosalie Woodruff
Rosalie Woodruff called on the Premier to explain to Kangaroo Bay residents why his Government gifted Crown Land to council to facilitate this development, while divesting itself of responsibility for the impact and appropriateness of the
development for the local community.
April 03, 2017
Crown Land - Details of Negotiations with Private Developers
Cassy O'Connor asked the Premier Will Hodgman, "Can you understand why a growing number of Tasmanians are suspicious and worried about the cavalier way your Government is trading in public assets at the behest of private developers?"
March 14, 2017
Premier Must Listen to Bellerive Community on Kangaroo Bay Development
Rosalie Woodruff called on the Premier, Hon. Will Hodgman, MP in his capacity as the Bellerive community’s local member, to step in and halt the development process until the concerns of local residents about the scale of the Kangaroo Bay development, and the process under which it was approved, can be addressed and a modified development submitted for approval.