Tasmania’s planning system is set for a major overhaul after the state government released draft legislation that would introduce a single scheme to cover the entire state.
The government is describing the scheme as, “fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler,” and the plan is widely seen as friendly to development.
The proposed scheme will introduce both statewide planning controls and local planning schedules for each council area. The changes will alter the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA).
There are 29 local government areas in Tasmania, and at the moment planning conditions vary in each one.
Planning and local government minister Peter Gutwein said in a public statement that the government found only 15 percent commonality between the 29 planning schemes, and he linked investment opportunities to clearer and more consistent planning for the state.
The government set up the Tasmanian Planning Reform Taskforce in May 2014 soon after it was elected to advise on the changes. The taskforce was given the responsibility of setting up the single planning scheme.
Responses to the draft legislation must be submitted by 10 August 2015, and the government hopes to implement the scheme in 2017.
