The Liberal Government has tabled legislation today to implement the first phase of our planning reform agenda, to make Tasmania’s planning system fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler.
We inherited a planning system that was inconsistent and without clear direction.
Today is an important step in fixing the mess and part of our long-term Plan for Tasmania to reform the planning system to create jobs and unlock our economic potential.
We are keeping what works and we are fixing what doesn’t.
The Bill tabled today will bring a speedy conclusion to the previous Labor-Green Government’s lengthy and drawn out planning agenda which would have taken another four years to complete.
It will reduce the decision-making time on permitted development applications from 42 days to just 28 days.
The interim scheme process will be finalised at the one consistent level across the state to provide the platform on which to deliver the state-wide planning scheme.
In the first half of next year I expect to table in Parliament the legislation for the second phase of our reforms which will create the framework for the state-wide scheme that will be rolled out across Tasmania.
We are getting on with the job to deliver a fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler planning scheme which is vital for our long term plan to make Tasmania more attractive for investment and create jobs.
For too long Tasmania’s overly complex planning system has been a handbrake to the economy. Our reforms will streamline approvals, and introduce a truly consistent statewide planning scheme to provide the consistency and certainty that investment requires.
The Liberal Government is sending a clear message that Tasmania is once again open for business.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government
