The Property Council of Australia today congratulated the State Government for finalising the State Planning Provisions after an exhaustive consultation process.
Executive Director Brian Wightman recognised the significance of a further step towards a single state-wide planning scheme.
“For many years, the planning regime in Tasmania could be best described as inconsistent.
“Frustration levels have gradually increased over time resulting in sustained and proactive advocacy for change by industry groups such as the Property Council of Australia.
“Along with the ridiculous number of council municipalities in Tasmania, there have been just as many planning schemes if not more, with at one point 33 schemes underpinning the regime in Australia’s smallest state,” he said.
The Property Council of Australia acknowledges the efforts of the Planning Reform Taskforce which has delivered one set of State Planning Provisions that will ensure state-wide consistency for all forms of development which are not covered by a variation.
“The State Planning Provisions deliver consistency.
“Members of the Property Council of Australia have been calling for this type of improvement for years. We remain confident that the result will be continuous economic growth which drives increases in jobs and population as investment continues,” he said.
The Property Council recognises that there has been a clear and significant sharpening and refinement of the Interim Schemes along with the merger of several provisions in the development of the Draft State Planning Provisions.
“The use of Local Business Zones, General Business Zones and Central Business Zones are deemed highly appropriate for commercial, investment and developmental purposes, recognising important economic zones while also acknowledging the uniqueness of our cities and our state as a whole.
The addition of more defined terms has the potential to avoid legal disputes. This improvement will deliver clarity and certainty for investors in Tasmania, a crucial step for informing decision makers,” he said
The Property Council encouraged the local government sector to work quickly and efficiently in preparing the local provision schedules.
“A flexible but consistent approach needs to be taken to ensure that the State Provisions work with the Local Schedules produced by Councils,” Mr Wightman said.