Welcome to the GAAFS website. As a freehold title owner at Ansons Bay, or a member of the public, you should be very concerned with events surrounding the Crown Shacks categorisation project, particularly with regard to the Ansons Bay area and the Tasmanian Governments' interpretation and implementation of the Crown Shacks Act. For the uninitiated we present information initially in a Question and Answer format and it is suggested that the viewer thoroughly peruse this site as there is much of interest.
Where is Ansons Bay ? Ansons Bay is a small inland waterway south of Eddystone point and north of St Helens in North Eastern Tasmania. (see map) Surrounding the western shore of the bay is a small township consisting of approximately 100 crown (leased) shacks and holiday homes and caravans distributed over an additional 200 freehold titles.
What is happening there that is of so much concern ? In December 1997 the Liberal state government together with the Labour opposition passed legislation to effect the subdivision and sale of existing crown land shack sites around the state. Whilst the intent of this legislation was noble, it's implementation at Ansons bay by Minister Llewellyn and the DPIWE has caused serious rifts within the community and concern amongst the general public. The government has developed a subdivision plan and is attempting to sell crown land (previously foreshore reserve) to a select few people on the foreshore at Ansons Bay.
What is wrong with that ? Firstly the land that is up for sale encompasses almost all of the foreshore reserve area and is subject to severe erosion and flooding. The dwellings sited on this land have been under crown lease since construction and many are of substandard construction, are subject to flooding and have illegal effluent disposal systems and are sited on land which the DPIWE has in all other circumstances ruled against construction in accordance with the governments own state coastal policy. Of little consequence to the Environment Minister is the fact that the entire community uses the foreshore area and that under this proposal almost all of that foreshore reserve will be under private ownership with the public access to the water being restricted to several narrow (proposed 900 mm wide) accesses.
How can I help ? Look at the information presented on this site. Make a judgment as to whether you consider the Governments' actions are ethical then email your protest to those members of parliament particularly Jim Bacon and the Minister for Environment Bryan Green. At the time of writing the present Minister for the Environment has not visited the Ansons Bay Area. This site contains lists of all parliamentary members so please feel free to email the lot!
Please feel free to email any opinions or comments to the secretary@gaafs.cjb.net