Media Release – Concerns over Stadium Project of State Significance Process

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today immediate steps are needed to strengthen the transparency, integrity and community participation of the Project of State Significance (PoSS) process before it is applied to the proposed AFL stadium.

“The community has clearly put transparency, democracy and public consultation as central expectations in the AFL stadium debate,” Ms Webb said.

“I hold serious concerns over whether the current PoSS process is a suitable vehicle by which to deliver those expectations.”

Ms Webb said the PoSS process does not have a positive track record.

“The last two times it was used – for two controversial projects in the Gunns pulp mill and Walker Corporation’s Ralphs Bay proposal – highlighted how questionable and potentially open to political interference the process is.

“It is extremely alarming that the PoSS process denies Tasmanians the right to judicial review. I am also concerned about the inequitable capacity for proponents to outspend individuals and community organisations when interacting with the process.”

Ms Webb is calling on the Government to implement three steps to strengthen the transparency and integrity of the PoSS process as a matter of urgency.

• One – amend the Act to provide for public appeals in the form of judicial review at the end of the process.

The legislation must also be strengthened to ensure the independence and impartiality of the Tasmanian Planning Commission and any established assessment panel to protect against actual or perceived political interference.

• Two – The Premier must clarify whether gazetted guidelines detailing the PoSS development process currently exist, as specified by section 17 of the Act, and if so, ensure they are publicly accessible.

If current guidelines do not exist the Premier must detail when they will be developed and released.

• Three – The Premier must guarantee that funding is provided to ensure key community stakeholders opposing the project can participate in the PoSS process on a level playing field with the stadium proponents.

Ms Webb also called on the Premier to clarify who will be the proponent of the proposed stadium under the PoSS process or whether the government intends to recommend the Governor declares a project of State Significance for its own pet project.

“Any attempt to sanitise the unpopular stadium through a process lacking in integrity, transparency and genuine community participation will not wash.”

Background: The Project of State Significance process is established under Part 3, the State Policies and Projects Act 1993.