Tasmanians to get more say on planning reforms

The development of the single planning scheme is well underway and the Statewide Planning Provisions are now being reviewed by the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission through the public statutory process.

Having considered advice from the Commission, I have decided to extend the timeframes for the TPC to provide its report to me until 9 December 2016. This will extend the time provided as the minimum under the Act but will still allow the Statewide Planning Provisions to be finalised and provided to councils around the end of this year.

This reform is too important to be compromised by inflexibly enforcing the minimum timeframe. The legislation provided for extensions for exactly these reasons.

The extension will enable the Hodgman Liberal Government to still deliver on this reform of a faster, cheaper and simpler single planning scheme supporting investment and jobs while ensuring the involvement of the broad community and the fair consideration of their concerns.

This process is far more transparent and accountable for the public, which is in contrast to the interim scheme process implemented by the previous government, where the schemes came into effect once gazetted, and consultation and public input occurred afterwards.

By contrast, the current process for the Statewide Planning Provisions ensures representation and hearings occur before they come into effect.

With the extension of time provided, the TPC Hearings are programmed to continue into September and October.

The Tasmanian Government wants to get this right – we want local councils and the broad community to have confidence in and the comfortable with the Statewide Planning Provisions and there is now additional time available to ensure that those interested can have their say and the independent Tasmanian Planning Commission do its work.
Peter Gutwein, Minister for Planning and Local Government