Legislation establishing the Tasmanian Planning Scheme passed through the third reading in the Legislative Council late last week, and the scheme is expected to be implemented by the end of 2017.
Peter Gutwein, Tasmanian Minister for Planning and Local Government, said current planning laws are too varied across the state.
“In the existing second-rate scheme there is only about 15% consistency across Tasmania’s 29 councils in the three regions,” Gutwein said.
“The new scheme will be faster, fairer, simpler and cheaper, boosting confidence for those looking to invest and expand. It will provide the right platform for more economic development and ultimately create more jobs,” he said.
Gutwein said the Tasmanian Planning Scheme has been formed following extensive consultation with stakeholders, and that the new planning laws contained in it will be subject to public consultation.
“The Planning Reform Taskforce is currently consulting on the final tranche of State Planning Provisions,” he said.
“I am expecting the Planning Reform Taskforce to provide to me by the end of this year, Tasmania’s first ever set of state-wide planning rules for consideration ahead of an extensive public consultative process through the Tasmanian Planning Commission early in 2016.”
