Groups call for Gutwein to release TPC report reiterated

Another seven community groups, including one opposing fish farms on the East Coast and another representing ratepayers in the Huon Valley, have joined a broad alliance of groups highlighting concerns about the State Government’s proposed weakening of planning laws and processes.

The 27 groups are seeking for transparency in the ‘planning reform’ process, calling for Minister Peter Gutwein to release the report of the Tasmanian Planning Commission, finalised and handed to him on Friday 9th December.

The Commission’s report makes recommendations on Minister Gutwein’s controversial State Planning Provisions, following public consultation and hearings. Minister Gutwein appears to have committed to releasing the report, but not until he has finalised and approved the very Provisions the report considers and makes recommendations on.

‘Collectively, we are concerned that Minister Gutwein’s planning rules benefit developers by reducing protection for important values, decreasing assessment rigour or removing community participation in development decisions,’ said coordinator Sophie Underwood, from the Freycinet Action Network.

‘While these concerns have been raised with the Tasmanian Planning Commission and Minister Gutwein has received its report, he is keeping the Commission’s advice secret until he has made his decision and approved the State Planning Provisions.

‘This lacks transparency and due process. Minister Gutwein should immediately release the report so that the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s view on the issues raised by the public is known well before the Minister signs off on the provisions.

Joining the alliance of voices raising concerns over planning changes, Grant Gaffney from the group No Fish Farms in Tasmania’s East Coast Waters said ‘aquaculture is exempt from the planning system and the draft Statewide Planning Scheme and associated provisions does nothing to address this issue.’

The Huon Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association is concerned that the proposed Tasmanian Planning Scheme appears to have many loopholes that will inevitably be exploited by developers.

‘The aim of the government’s planned de-regulation appears to be to fast–track approvals by reducing the opportunities for community consultation. Efficiency is to be welcomed but it must not be to the detriment of our natural and built heritage,’ said Pat Synge, spokesperson for the Huon Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association.

The full list of 27 groups now includes:

Bay of Fires Coastal Preservation Lobby, Beaumaris Action Network, BirdLife Tasmania, Blackmans Bay Residents Action Group, Central North Field Naturalists, Environment Tasmania, Freycinet Action Network, Friends of Four Mile Creek, Friends of the Blue Tier, Friends of the East Coast, Friends of the Tamar Valley, Huon Valley Residents and Ratepayers Association, No Fish Farms in Tasmania’s East Coast Waters, North East Bioregional Network, Precinct 33 Amendments Group, Seymour Community Action Group, South Hobart Progress Association, Southern Beaches Conservation Society, Rosny Hill Friends Network, Tasmanian Conservation Trust, Tasmanian National Parks Association, Tasmanian Planning Information Network, The Bob Brown Foundation, Waterworks valley Community Group, Waterworks Valley Landcare Group, The Wilderness Society, Woodbridge Community Association.

http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/state_planning_provisions_report_under_consideration
Sophie Underwood, Pat Synge, Grant Gaffney