Regarding the Pittwater area under proposal for change of use into a golf course and residential complex:
Orienteers are probably aware that Warwick Moore has been working on our position in the hope of saving our world class map.
I attended the fundraising quiz organised by Clifton Riding Club to raise funds for the local support group, SOS, (Save Our Spit),trying to save the area from change of use and freedom of public access.
The effort put in by the horse riding community is enormous.
I now receive the SOS news bulletins, coordinated by Lynne Lucas, and will link them directly to our Tas O bulletin.
Click on the following links to download a membership/donation form and a wine drive order form. The final date for wine orders is May 15. Please note the contact is lhazelwood as on the form.
Orienteering has already made some donations to the cause, and Warwick will be able to give the informed position on our donations and policy.
Janet Buckerfield
Pittwater Developments by Warwick Moore
Most orienteers would be aware of the threat to our continued use of the Pittwater Pines area due to a proposal for a golf development and housing subdivision. This area was first mapped and used for orienteering in 1973 and we have had several national and international events in the area over the years! In November last year, on behalf of OT, I lobbied Clarence Councillors and submitted an objection to the proposal. The Council subsequently chose not to go ahead with their amendment to change the Planning Scheme to allow the development. However, due to a quirk in the system, once an amendment has been proposed and put out for public comment, it has to be heard before the Planning Commission even though the Council has withdrawn its support. This hearing will be held during May and I have indicated that OT will be making a presentation to the hearing. As I have indicated previously, a group known as Save Our Spit has been established to lobby against the development and they will also be making a presentation. They plan to use an experienced (and expensive!) land use planner to present their case, based on more extensive grounds than ours, which relies mainly on past continuing use. Both WROC and Australopers have contributed directly by donating to their fund raising and I invite other orienteers to support this organisation, if so inclined. You can contact Save Our Spit by emailing Lynne Lucas, lynne.lucas@education.tas.gov.au. The Hobart Airport has also engaged a legal team to counter the development. I have also had meetings with the Department of Sport and Recreation staff and the representative of the Department of Economic Development who is supporting the developers, to explain our requirements. Unfortunately, the decision of the Planning Commission may not be the end of the story as the new Liberal government wants to be “open for business” so we may find the development goes ahead anyway. If you know a politician a bit of lobbying would help now before they make any decision.
Photo Details
Supporters of Save our Spit, a group against the Mathew Goggin development on the Seven Mile Beach dunes. Front: Lynne Lucas with Imogen Croall, 4, Catherine Clark with Bessie; Back: Michael Lee, Warwick Moore, Peter McGlone and Trish McKeown. Source: News Limited