Tony Saddington
AN outdoor public forum will be held this Tuesday, 21st at 12.30 – 1.30pm. at the Civic square – outside the Launceston Council hall. (see ‘Poster’ download). Council aldermen and some MLC candidates will be attending.
THE new planning laws would allow a ‘fast tracked’ assessment of any project at the Ministers discretion.

…..seeks to remove the power from the people and increase powers to a minister in Government …..

TAP has gone through an evolution from just purely opposed to the Pulp mill and associated legislation,to one that encompasses the greater public good. The threat to democratic planning laws is one of these.

The Bartlett Govt , via David Llewellyn, have tried to quietly slip new planning legislation quietly past the public. The new planning laws would allow a ‘fast tracked’ assessment of any project at the Ministers discretion.

Public comment on this process was restricted to 1 week. Due to public pressure, this period has been extended, briefly.

An outdoor public forum will be held this Tuesday, 21st at 12.30 – 1.30pm. at the Civic square – outside the Launceston Council hall. (see ‘Poster’ attachment). Council aldermen and some MLC candidates will be attending.

David Llewellyn has also been invited to attend and explain the position of his Government.

In a nutshell , the changes can mean;

1) The Minister can ‘call in’ (Take control of), any project that he thinks is a ‘project of regional significance’ or if he thinks a council has some ‘bias’ against a project.

2) The Minister does not have to involve council and can overturn a council decision if council has previously refused a planning application.

3) A Minister does not have to give reasons of his decision to the public. (secrecy).

4) Minimal public appeal. Supreme Court actions likely to be the only venue.

5) No RPDC.

This legislation poses a threat relating to Pulp mills, Pipelines, Bypasses and any other project that you can think of. Rather than allowing good governance by including public input, it seeks to remove the power from the people and increase powers to a minister in Government that has no handle on local conditions from his seat in Hobart.

If you can ,support us in this action next Tuesday, or write briefly to LGAT, (TAP’s letter attached), or to Members of Parliament and express your opposition.

Cheers,

Tony Saddington. (TAP)