Contentious hotel development approved for Hobart's eastern shore

Key points

• Tasmania's planning commission has approved a $65 million hotel project at Kangaroo Bay in Bellerive, on Hobart's eastern shore. Chinese developer Chambroad plans 155 rooms, restaurants, bars, a wellness centre, function facilities and new pedestrian and cycleways.
• Project director Greg Hudson says the hotel will become a premier tourism destination. Clarence City Council mayoral candidate Brendan Blomeley accuses the developer and state government of disregarding community views.
• The council is in the Supreme Court seeking to buy the land back under a contract clause, while Chambroad has urged new councillors to drop the litigation.