The decision follows consideration by Council of an independent review by consultant engineers, JMG, and feedback obtained from the community consultation process undertaken in November last year.

The area covers approximately 55 hectares of land in 31 titles. It is subject to inundation and includes land fronting South Arm Road, extending to the north of Mannata Street and to the west of Ringwood Road.

Council decided that the Lauderdale Urban Expansion Feasibility Study, undertaken for Council by JMG, would not proceed through to the next stage due to a number of factors, which included the high environmental risks, complex engineering required, amenity, property and financial impacts on a number of residents, and the substantial cost of public infrastructure required to service the expansion.

The process revealed that the development of the area would result in Council incurring significant and unredeemable costs for infrastructure including stormwater and road works, estimated at $11 million.

The decision means that the area will remain zoned as Rural Living under the Clarence Interim Planning Scheme and generally subject to various codes.

A copy of the report to Council can be found on the website at www.ccc.tas.gov.au.