A significant day for planning reform in Tasmania

The Property Council of Australia today warmly welcomed the Legislative Council’s passing of legislation that will deliver the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.

Tasmanian Executive Director Brian Wightman acknowledged the leadership of the Planning Reform Taskforce who worked closely and diligently with industry members to deliver a fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler state-wide planning system.

“The Property Council of Australia has campaigned strongly for planning reform over a number of years and we recognise that this is a significant day,” he said.

Mr. Wightman offered that Property Council members would be particularly impressed with the improved consistency that the Tasmanian Planning Scheme will deliver.

“15 per cent consistency across Tasmania with regard to planning laws and regulations for a state our size is ridiculous, and it would difficult to find anyone who could mount an argument that this was good for the economy.

“We will now have up to 80 per cent uniformity which will make it far simpler for investors in our state to deliver projects efficiently and on time,” he said.

While Tasmania recently ranked last in the Development Assessment Report Card 2015, this suite of reforms will deliver consistency, drive improvement and lead to the state moving off the bottom of the planning ladder. 

“Improved consistency will lead to productivity gains and ultimately job creation.

“The Property Council will continue to advocate strongly for reforms that deliver prosperity, jobs and strong communities,” Mr. Wightman said.

The Property Council acknowledged the commonly held view that property and construction was driving an economic revival in Tasmania which has been particularly evident in Hobart.

“The property sector is a major player in the state’s economy contributing $2.0 billion in Gross State Product, employing 7 per cent of the workforce and driving a significant resurgence of activity across Tasmania,” he concluded.

 

Media contact:  Brian Wightman |M 0429 073 773 |E [email protected]