Industry welcomes major project input

Statement by Mr Michael Kerschbaum (Master Builders Tasmania), Rick Sassin (Housing Institute Australia), Michael Bailey (Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Brian Wightman (Property Council of Australia).

The above key industry associations welcome today’s release of the major project legislation for further public comment.

The industry proponents encourage the major political parties to support its passage through parliament following the 2018 election.

The proposed legislation retains key features of the Projects of Regional Significance (PORS) process including exhibition and hearing process with judicial review rights but addresses key flaws with the current process in terms of its integration with other approvals and lack of staging.

It is a balanced approach providing additional opportunity for public participation over the PORS process but through a staged assessment that reduces risk for proponents and provides greater certainty.

The new process is not about facilitating high rise buildings. The exclusion of these from the major projects process has been strengthened under the revised bill. In comparison there is nothing to prevent these buildings being called in under the current PORS process; so the proposed process actually provides more safeguards than the existing legislation.

It is also not about facilitating greater Ministerial powers. Again, comparing it to the current PORS process, the major projects process provides for no greater Ministerial involvement than is currently the case

This is something that industry has been advocating for over a long time and it sees as important. It is critical that all Tasmanians enjoy a robust planning system that they have confidence in. It has the twin benefit of retaining consumer safeguards while encouraging additional investment.

For further comment contact:

Michael Kerschbaum 0438 343 810
Rick Sassin 0407 596 704
Michael Bailey 0437 322 338
Brian Wightman 0429 073 773