The calls came from a member of the public at the council’s July meeting last week. The council approved a plan to rezone the 3185-hectare property in April which would allow for a multi-million dollar development. 

Tasmanian Conservatory Trust’s Peter McGlone asked the mayor during public question time if he was aware the local government act said councillors must bring an open and unprejudiced mind to all matters and referred to Cr Kent’s comments about the proposal in the media. He has referred to the “unbelievable opportunity” as “fantastic”.

Cr Kent responded to the comments saying those were his views and that other councillors would have their own. Mr McGlone then asked whether Cr Kent should “absent himself” from future votes regarding the proposal. 

Cr Kent said it was his job to make decisions and vote on things before him.   

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Talking to The Examiner, Cr Kent stood by his remarks. 

“Personally I support the project. But I am one vote out of eight and as for the proposal – all that has happened at this stage is that there has been a rezoning. There is no development application in,” he said.  

“How can I actually support something that I haven’t seen? All I’ve done is support the rezoning and whatever else comes will be discussed and debated as a council as per a normal development application.” 

He said the proposal would take about 10 years, and the Tasmanian Planning Commission had the final say.

“They make the final decision, not the council, not the councillors, and not the council planners,” he said. 

“To me, it sounds like a brilliant idea because someone wants to spend $100 million dollars plus. I support the theory, but let’s have a look at it in development application form when it comes.”