The $100 million Cambria Green development on Tasmania’s East Coast threatens Aboriginal heritage areas and bird species facing extinction, a public meeting has been told.
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Author and journalist Martin Flanagan who was MC at the meeting attended by hundreds of people at the Hobart Town Hall said he felt “shock and incredulity” when the development was announced.
“It is the biggest change in Tasmania since colonisation,” Mr Flanagan said.
“The most frightening thing about the Cambria Green saga is the process the state government has which means mega developments can happen again and again and again.”
Mr Flanagan said the arguments against the development, proposed by the Chinese-backed Cambria Green Agriculture and Tourism Management Pty Ltd, were not about race.
Aboriginal linguist Theresa Sainty said the area for the proposed development at Swansea was rich in Aboriginal heritage areas.
“When the bulldozers clear ancient trees they are drilling into the heart of our country,” Ms Sainty said.
Academic and convenor of Birdlife Tasmania Dr Eric Woehler said the East Coast was “under threat like never before.”
Dr Woehler said several bird species including wedge tailed eages were facing extinction and the Cambria Green development would see the clearing of native vegetation.
“We must listen to the birds and heed their warnings,” Dr Woehler said.
“Our legacy must not be sprawling golf courses and developments pushing birds into extinction.”
East Coast farmer Tim Chesterman was amazed at the turnout at the meeting.
He said the East Coast was a “peaceful unspoilt place sitting on the edge of a boom in the viticulture industry.”
‘Money can so easily destroy nature but money can never make it,” Mr Chesterman said to loud applause.
Sophie Underwood of Planning Alliance Matters Alliance said during the state election Premier Will Hodgman had talked about “taking Tasmania to the next level” but had failed to articulate a vision for the state.
“The Cambria Green is the largest resort ever planned for Tasmania and the big question is where is the state headed and will our fragile environment cope,” Ms Underwood said.
Labor planning spokesman David O’Byrne said the development was “frightening in terms of its scale.”
“It values money over people, it values money over proper process,” Mr “O’Byrne said.
“We are not anti-development but we want sustainable development and we will not support major projects legislation that rides rough shod over the community.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor praised the crowd and said: “We are here for the love of Tasmania and we fear for its future.”
Ms O’Connor said the Cambria Green proposal was “inappropriate and insensitive.”
“Fair minded Tasmanians support good development in the right places, we can win this but we can’t let up,” she said.
Mr Flanagan used a football analogy to end the 50 minute meeting.
“They have kicked 10 goals before the first bounce but we will come home with the wind,” he said.