Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Housing, Planning and Consumer Affairs, 28 November 2024

Government remains committed to DAPs

The Tasmanian Liberal Government remains committed to DAPs and will look to progress legislation in the new year.

The Government secured a mandate for this Bill at the last election and received bipartisan support for it in both houses

We will bring the Bill back in the new year because we won’t give up on getting people into homes and tradies into jobs.

Editor’s note: there is no evidence we have seen of any shortage of employment for tradespeople. In fact demographer Lisa Denny states the opposite is true: the major block to construction in Tasmania is not buildingapprovals but a lack of skilled labour.

Media release – Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Planning, Shadow Minister for Building & Construction, 28 November 2024

Premier fails on DAPs

In an extraordinary stuff-up to top off a shocking year in parliament the Liberals have failed to progress their Development Assessment Panel legislation through the upper house.

This is legislation that would have helped get more houses built and more Tasmanians into safe, secure, well-paid jobs.

Make no mistake, this legislation has failed because of the Premier’s over-the-top attack on local government.

“Frankly I’m not interested in mayors that have self-interest, of course, and grandstanding” the Premier said about the Greater Hobart mayors who voiced their concerns about the Liberals’ ham-fisted approach to consultation.

If the Premier is capable of any level of self-reflection he will surely be regretting his approach to this legislation.

The Liberals claimed that DAPs would take the politics out of planning, but by playing bad politics on the issue they have completely stuffed another thing up, and Tasmanian jobs will suffer because of it.

Media release – Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), 28 November 2024

Local government welcomes the decision by the Legislative Council on Development Assessment Panels

On behalf of the state’s 29 councils, the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) welcomes the decision made by the Legislative Council to reject the proposed Development Assessment Panels Bill.

It is pleasing to see that members of the Legislative Council have listened to the concerns raised by LGAT and others.

LGAT President and Break O’Day Council Mayor, Mick Tucker said that the State Government should be focusing its efforts on completing the planning reform projects that are already underway. This includes the long overdue update to the Regional Land Use Strategies, which are nearing 15 years old and critical to guiding local development and increasing certainty for developers.

“The Government has tried to unfairly blame councils for trying to do their best with an outdated system owned, but not maintained, by the State Government. This strategy has clearly backfired with the decision made by the Legislative Council today,” Mayor Tucker said.

Despite the manner in which the Minister and Premier have denigrated our sector, councils remain open to working with the State Government on sensible planning reform.

Media release – independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb, 29 November 2024

Upper House Independents Listen and Act for Communities on DAPs

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb said today the Rockliff Government must now work cooperatively and respectfully with both the State local government sector and the community should they wish to breath life into their failed Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) push.

“This vote defeating the fundamentally anti-democratic and flawed DAP Bill reflected the benefit of having a range of Independent MLCs unincumbered by pre-set positions who could instead listen to, hear and stand up for their respective communities,” Ms Webb said.

“It is very telling that the entire Assembly crossbench and the range of Upper House independents both voted against this poor proposal of the government.

“The demise of the DAP Bill should send a loud message to the Rockliff government that bullying and vilifying key stakeholders such as councils, LGAT, and community representatives does not work and is unacceptable.”

Ms Webb said it was very clear local councils and the Upper House think the concept of DAPs could be a positive thing as long as it facilitates good planning process and genuine stakeholder and community engagement.

“This vote provides an opportunity for the Premier and Minister to demonstrate maturity, and work respectfully and co-operatively with the local government sector. The ball is in their court.”