Premier David Bartlett

David Bartlett’s response to the Planning Institute of Australia Report Card for Tasmania 2008.
The Planning Institute of Australia has released report cards for each state and territory as an indication of the state of planning in each area. This is David Bartlett’s response to the Institute.
Premier David Bartlett
Minister for Education and Skills
Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations

PIA Report Card 2008 TASMANIA

Growth Management – How is Tasmania performing in developing and approving growth management plans for regions that integrate social, economic, environmental and transport issues?

In the 2007 State Budget Government funds were made available for the preparation of regional land use strategies for the 3 regions of the State. Work has commenced in the North West region, an MOU has been signed in the North and good progress is being made in the south of the State towards a similar agreement. Additionally, an East Coast sub regional land use and development strategy has been started to address the particular pressures and issues in this area.

The State Government has also assisted four southern councils with the development of a joint land use strategy. The objective is to bring consistent and contemporary planning schemes into effect across each region. Provision will be made for preparing and updating regional data profiles and settlement strategies for reference when assessing future land use changes.

The Government has also announced in the 2008 Budget funding for four Settlement and Investment Strategies. The strategies will cover the North West, North/ North East; and Southern Regions and the East Coast sub-region. The Strategies are intended to guide development and investment decisions and encourage a pattern of settlement and infrastructure provision that is relevant to the future needs, capabilities and potentials of a region or sub-region. The strategies will set a detailed policy framework to govern where and how growth can occur in the four areas. The project builds on the regional initiatives funded in last year’s Budget.

Sustainability Indicators – How is Tasmania performing in developing sustainability indicators that can be used to measure the performance of plans?

The Tasmania State of Environment Report measures progress towards sustainability, and work is continuing on the development of indicators. The third SoE Report is due for release in 2009. Planning schemes and amendments are assessed against the sustainable development objectives of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. The Resource Planning and Development Commission Planning Advisory Note Supporting Information for Planning Schemes provides a checklist of matters and information sources to assist in meeting the objectives.

The SoE Unit will be involved in providing base line data for the regional and sub-regional land use strategies.

Governance – How is Tasmania performing in having governance structures in place that can support the development and implementation of effective growth management plans?

The Regional Planning Initiatives referred to above are adopting a partnership approach with the Councils and regional organisation of Councils in the 3 regions of Tasmania. It is anticipated that this approach will be used as a model that can strengthen growth management and governance at the regional level in accordance with a shared vision across councils, business, industry and the community in each region. The Government does not consider that is necessary or desirable to introduce another layer of governance to deliver the strategies and associated new planning schemes. The State Government is also currently reviewing the governance structures of the bodies that make up the planning system in Tasmania.

Infrastructure – How is Tasmania performing in having a timetable and funding commitment for major social and physical infrastructure in accordance with a growth management plan?

The State Government has introduced reforms to the provision of water and sewerage infrastructure and assets which replace individual local councils with 3 regional bodies. This provides the opportunity to integrate with the regional planning initiatives. In terms of transport infrastructure, the Government has produced 3 regional Transport Strategies which will also inform the land use planning strategies.

Transport – How is Tasmania performing in having a commitment to fund improvement and expansion of public transport integrated with a growth management plan?

The State Government invests a large amount of funds annually to support Metro public transport operations in the 4 major urban areas and an extensive school bus system. Regional settlement strategies, referred to above, will assist in supporting, integrating and improving these systems. The Government is introducing a new ‘smart’ ticketing system to encourage more use of buses. The Transport Strategies will provide a means of promoting and supporting public transport use.

Demographic Change – How is Tasmania performing in developing a sea change/tree change strategy to address the impacts of population shifts?

The Government announced in the 2008 Budget funding for four Settlement and Investment Strategies. This has commenced in the North West of the State. The strategies will also cover the North/ North East; and Southern Regions and the East Coast sub-region. The Strategies aim to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately located land to meet projected housing needs of each region and sub-region over the next 20 years.

Tasmania’s recent growth in population continues to be largely focussed in a number of coastal settlements. The current initiative to prepare regional planning strategies and rationalise water and sewerage supply will also enable a much more coordinated response to demographic change. The East Coast sub-regional land use and development strategy is specifically designed to deal with the impacts of the ‘sea change’ phenomena in that part of the State.

The State Government also has a demographic advisory body which is taking into account the planning issues around population changes.

The tree change phenomena is evident in rural areas of the State and will be addressed as part of the broader regional settlement and land use strategies.

Housing – How is Tasmania performing in developing a housing strategy that addresses
affordability, housing choice and sustainable design?

Development of a State Policy on Affordable Housing is being considered in order to provide a high level ‘head of power’ for implementation of provisions for affordable housing through planning schemes. Model residential provisions are being drafted to remove barriers to affordable housing and to ensure that new housing meets consistent standards and sustainability criteria across the State. Opportunities for public/private development of affordable housing will be identified as part of the preparation of regional planning strategies and new planning schemes.

The Government is committed to spend $60m on affordable housing initiatives including an urban renewal project in the Bridgewater / Gagebrook area to support the Affordable Housing Strategy. It has also established the Affordable Housing Innovations Unit within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Public Participation – How is Tasmania performing in having effective mechanisms for public participation in developing planning strategies?

The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 provides for formal public input to new planning schemes and amendments and third party representation and appeal rights to all discretionary planning decisions. Statutory public notification periods have recently been extended to compensate for public holidays. The current regional planning initiative will involve a communication strategy to ensure public involvement. The Resource Planning and Development Commission Planning Advisory Notes on draft amendments recommend site notices where appropriate and early consultation with affected parties.

Planning Workforce – How is Tasmania performing in having a well-resourced and skilled professional workforce to provide expertise to the planning process?

The re-establishment of a planning course at the University of Tasmania in recent years has markedly increased the number of planners, but there is still a statewide shortage. So far the increase in planners tends to be those who are relatively inexperienced. The regional initiatives could provide more opportunities for sharing scarce planning resources across Councils and for planners to gain broader knowledge and professional experience.

The Government is engaged with the Local Government Association and other stakeholders in considering the benefits of introducing a para-planner qualification to provide semi-professional support.

Streamlined Assessment – How is Tasmania performing in having a streamlined planning assessment in place?

Tasmanian compares favourably with other States in the time taken to issue planning decisions. Introduction of template planning schemes and standard schedules across each region of the State should assist in speeding up the assessment process. An expanded list of standard exemptions is also being drafted.

The Government is involved in discussions with other States and Territories on determining nationally consistent complying development standards for residential development.

The Government is currently carrying out a review of the planning system with one objective of streamlining decision making. The Government has publicly stated that any changes will not be at the expense of ‘good planning outcomes’.

Urban Design – How is Tasmania performing in having clear policies that promote quality buildings and urban spaces?

Urban design quality has been improving for a number of years through local public and private initiatives, and more recently with urban and tourist developments in coastal and waterfront areas. The recent international design competition for sites in Sullivans Cove has also raised awareness and expectations. The Government is now committed to developing a Master Plan for Sullivans Cove to further good design on both private and public sites.

The Government has committed funds to the appointment of a Government Architect as in other States. The position includes greater promotion of urban design.

A number of standard schedules for planning schemes will also assist in promoting quality buildings and spaces.

Climate Change – How is Tasmania performing in having a strategy to mitigate and adapt to climate change?

Since the last PIA Report Card the Government has established an Office of Climate Change and endorsed its climate change strategy. Further detailed work on mapping the effects of sea level rise has been carried out in Tasmania in conjunction with local councils. This includes an inventory of assets in areas that are potentially subject to sea level rise and storm surge.
State Cabinet will soon consider the revised State Coastal Policy which has been reviewed in the light of the latest climate change information.

David Bartlett MP
Premier and Minister
Planning and Workplace Relations