INTRO
Acknowledgements: TCCI Chairperson Susan Parr; parliamentary colleagues and government officials; Mayors and Councillors; Planning Reform Taskforce Chair, Mary Massina and Taskforce members.
Thank you for taking the time to be here this morning.
Today I intend to provide an overview of what has been occurring in the planning portfolio over the six months since the Liberal Government was elected and what will happen over the next six months as our reforms are rolled out.
However Planning reform isn’t happening in isolation. It is just one part, albeit a very significant part, of the Liberal Government’s long-term plan for Tasmania.
We have always been very clear about what our top priorities are: jobs and economic growth.
In the case of jobs and economic growth, the Liberal government’s planning reform agenda is a critical factor in facilitating those outcomes.
Furthermore we are well advanced in relation to reducing red and green tape and I am particularly pleased with the sensible suggestions that have been received as a result of the review into the Building Act my department is conducting- our work reforming the planning system compliments and underpins our work in this area.
There is growing evidence that as a result of the Government’s commitment to:
• deliver our election promises;
• fix the states finances;
• and lay the foundations for the future;
that confidence is growing and so is the economy.
Confidence returns
Encouragingly, over the past 6 months, 3,400 new jobs have been created, our unemployment rate is down and the participation rate is going up.
Building approvals are providing a shot in the arm for the construction sector.
Retail spending is up.
Our economy is now starting to grow and it’s growing faster than some of the other bigger states.
And, very importantly, business confidence is up.
The economy is growing and people are feeling more confident and as a result we need to ensure that our planning system provides the platform for further investment and greater levels of development.
Planning reform to underpin economic improvement
Planning reform is vital because it will lead to further increased confidence, economic growth and job creation.
Planning reform is a key plank to unlocking the potential of our economy and ensuring that Tasmania can become the most attractive place in the country to live work and invest and is absolutely essential I believe to ensuring that we can fix the State’s finances and return the budget back to surplus.
Planning reform will unlock tremendous potential and it will help us make Tasmania more attractive for investment.
We took a clear and unequivocal planning policy to the election.
Our policy is for a planning system that is fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler .
This new planning system will better serve planners, Local Government, land owners, investors and developers but also the broader Tasmanian population as well.
I know that planning reform in Tasmania has been underway now for more than seven years and I know that many of you in this room are frustrated that it has taken so long.
It was clear even from Opposition that the previous Government had failed to deliver.
It is important that firstly we need to draw a line under the previous Government’sprogram, but in doing that we need to keep what is working and importantly set about fixing what isn’t.
As Planning Minister, it is clear to me that, as a first step, we must bring to a speedy conclusion the lengthy, drawn out interim planning scheme process because under the previous Government’s timetable it would have taken at least another four years to complete and it would still not deliver any significant degree of state-wide consistency.
While the architecture of the 29 schemes would have been consistent there would have been only around 15 per cent commonality between the planning schemes in the south compared to the North and North west of the State.
That is, the headings would have all looked the same, but the content would have been significantly different.
That would be unacceptable and I have taken advice from the Planning Reform Taskforce and the Tasmanian Planning Commission regarding the most appropriate way to bring the current process to a close.
This is complex because not only is each region at a different point in the process, the degree of acceptance of the interim schemes by the community and the councils themselves is also quite varied.
I have been advised by a number of councils that they are very concerned about the new interim schemes and whilst some councils are happywith theirs, others are not andtherefore, I do not believe it will serve anyone’s interests to follow through and complete the Previous Governments agenda.
That would only entrench a planning scheme which is considered by many in local Government as well as by developers as harder to use, more costly, and more prescriptive.
That would not assist with moving to a faster, fairer, cheaper and simpler planning scheme.
I can assure you that the good work that has been done to date by many of you in this room will be retained, but we will be getting on with the job of delivering a State-wide scheme that will unlock investment and facilitate development in a more cost effective and time efficient manner.
As the first major step, this month I will table a Bill in Parliament that draws a line under the previous Government’s interim planning scheme process.
What is important is that we need to ensure we have, in relation to the architecture of the schemes as close to a common platform in place as is possible taking into account the regional differences that have been developed.
This will provide the platform we will move forward on to deliver the State wide planning scheme.
As it stands, all interim schemes in the North West and most schemes in the North have already been declared.
I am announcing today that I will move to declare the Southern interim schemes at the earliest opportunityand will then invite public input.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission will take into account written representations and will make changes to the schemes to address drafting errors as well as fixing issues which have arisen from incorrect translation of planning schemes to the new zone maps or changes that have the agreement of all parties.
It is important that we take this step to ensure that the interim schemes can operate with a degree of efficiency.
Any property owners who haven’t had their issues resolved through this streamlined process can seek to change the zoning through applying for an amendment to the interim planning scheme.
This means that in relation to the finalisation of the interim scheme process property owners will still have their voices heard.
I want to particularly stress this point that whilst ending the current process in a significantly reduced timeframe no one will be denied the opportunity to be heard as we work our way through this process.
This will ensure that all of the interim planning schemes will be held at the same level – the 30J stage – and importantly errors, omissions and zoning translationswill be fixed and these schemes will then form the basis for implementing a truly State-wide planning scheme.
Importantly, resources will not be used to progress to the 30N stage by finalising differently drafted and constructed schemes when we should be moving to put in place a proper state-wide consistent approach.
I intend to introduce new legislation for the single State-wide scheme in the first half of next year.
That Bill will create one set of planning rules and provide consistent direction for development across zones and codesthat will apply right around Tasmania.
This will provide greater certainty for everyone on how land can be used and developed and in turn this will support investment and economic growth in Tasmania.
This new framework will be made up of consistent State-wide planning provisions as well as allowing for ‘area specific’ local provisions that have been identified through the interim planning scheme process.
Councils will remain the planning authority in each municipality and will retain the responsibility for the preparation of specific local provisions.
These local provisions will address local planning matters in particular special purpose zones and specific area plans for places such as heritage precincts such as Evandale, Stanley, Richmond or Battery Point here in Hobart as well as for developments such as hospitals or schools which obviously require local input and planning controls.
Supporting this new framework will be a set of new and revised State policies, which are currently being developed by the Government in consultation with the Planning Reform Taskforce.
I am waiting on advice on these State policies however I am personally of the view that they are an absolutely vital piece of the architecture of a consistent, cohesive planning system.
They are in my mind a key missing link in the current system and will provide the high level, strategic, principle based direction that is needed for a planning system to function effectively, especially in this state with its regionally dispersed populations and settlements.
It is the Government’s aim that to begin introducing these State policies by the mid-point of this term of Government.
The increased focus on State-level planning policies and strategies and an integrated planning system will help us plan for Tasmania’s future land use needs, the needs of the our community and will underpin investor confidence.
It will fill a long recognised gap in the planning system.
Before I finish I want to also mention the very good work that the Planning Reform Taskforce is doing.
To date they have provided key advice on the need, and the method to bring the interim scheme process to a close in a way that ensures the significant investment that has already been made by both the State and local Government is not wasted but importantly retains what is good, but fixes what isn’t.
They have also begun looking at the planning barriers affecting significant parts of our community and they are preparing advice and recommendations onuse and development standards for zones that support significant economic development, such as agricultural, residential,commercial and tourism zones.
The Taskforce is also preparing advice on Ministerial Call-In Powers; In-Principle assessment and; measures to limit frivolous and vexatious appeals.
We aim to put the first part of this work out for public consultation around the middle of next year.
I should also mention that I am well served by the Tasmanian Planning commission and their positive approach to assisting the Government to deliver its agenda should not be understated.
I am fortunate to have both the planning commission and the Planning Taskforce working in tandem on this important project-the outcomes of which will provide the platform on which we will live, work and invest for decades to come.
Planning reform in summary
So therefore, the first step is to declare all of the southern schemes as quickly as possible and draw a line under the interim planning scheme process, making sure that all of the interim schemes state wide are all at a consistent level and able to function efficiently.
Legislation will be introduced into Parliament very soon to deliver on this.
Secondly, I will introduce further legislation early next year that will enable us to roll out a Statewide, single planning scheme that will provide consistency across the state.
As discussed the single scheme will also enable Local Government to implement specific local planning rules to apply to unique areas of their municipality.
Thirdly, with the Planning Reform Taskforce, I am working on state policies and strategies to provide a consistent overarching framework for the single planning scheme. This step will be completed in around 18 months.
I also want to say to those from Local Government who are here today that Local Government will have a very important role to play during this process.
You are vital to these reforms and I want to thank LGAT for allowing Alan Garcia to represent you on the Taskforce. His input in providing direct input into the process on your behalf has been invaluable.
I am committed to working with you to resolving any issues that may come up during this reform process.
In finishing, I want to thank the rest of the members of the Planning Reform Taskforce and all of you in this room that have participated in the planning reform process to date.
I want to specifically thank the Chair, Mary Massina for her work and her stewardship of the Taskforce.
I know that delivering on a single Statewide planning scheme will not be an easy task, but I have been encouraged by the progress that we have been able to make to date.
I invite you all to provide your feedback during this reform process to the Planning Reform Taskforce.
We value your feedback and I believe that together we will ensure that Tasmania ends up with a consistent state-wide planning scheme that is fairer, faster, simpler and cheaper that is the envy of the rest of the country.
Thankyou.
Download:
Factsheet_1_Overview_Planning_Reforms_September_2014.pdf
Factsheet_2_Interim_planning_schemes_September_2014.pdf
Factsheet_3_Streamlined_amendment_process_September_2014.pdf
Factsheet_4_Other_amendments_September_2014.pdf
Planning_Reforms_consultation_draft_Position_Paper_29_August_2014.pdf
LUPA_Amendment_Bill_tracked_v13_13_Oct_2014.pdf
• Peter Gutwein, Ministerial Statement: Update on Budget Savings
• Andrew Ricketts, in Comments: Very soon the Government will introduce a new LAND USE PLANNING AND APPROVALS AMENDMENT (STREAMLINING OF PROCESS) BILL 2014 into Parliament. Sitting days are: 28th, 29th, 30th October. It is a surprise that The Bill will come on in October with no proper exposure of a draft. It does not seem to be on any official website or otherwise available for the public. The Liberal approach – To only consult with the privileged few.
• Andrew Ricketts: The Government is amending a second piece of legislation at the same time.
Amendments are to be made to the Local Government (Building and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.
This is the act, derived from the 1962 Local Government Act, which deals with subdivisions.
The Governments intention is to give the green light so a planning application for a subdivision could be for a permitted development.
Subdivisions have never been permitted before. It is like releasing the flood gates …
Download:
Local_Government_(Building_and_Miscellaneous_Provisions)_Act_1993_v13_tracked_13_Oct_2014.pdf
