Multi-million-dollar Tasmanian resort blocked by planning commission

Freycinet National Park Wilderness in Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania has blocked plans for a multi-million-dollar Chinese-backed tourist development overlooking Freycinet National Park.

The state’s planning commission rejected the application to rezone 3,000 hectares of agricultural land on grounds it was not supported by the required paperwork, The Guardian reported.

An Australian listed company made the application for a special development zone in April 2018 to construct a huge complex including 550 accommodation rooms, two golf courses and an 80-bed health spa or palliative care unit near Swansea. The land covers 12 titles owned by seven companies and two individuals back in 2015 with nine of the purchases being made on the same day.

The Guardian noted that all but one company, Cambria Green Agriculture, are incorporated in Hong Kong.

The commission said the application lacked sufficient evidence it had the consent of all the land-owners and failed to comply with the Corporations Act.

Seven of the companies signed the consent forms using identical Chinese characters but the commission said it was not given proof who the signature belonged to or if the signatory had the authorisation from the companies.

Local politicians have also voiced concerns the resort would be a threat to the way of life of East Coast residents and Tasmania’s brand.

Cambria Green, the company that lodged the application, will have to begin the two-year rezoning process over again if it wishes to continue.

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