Saturday, March 7, 2020

TASMANIAN PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW AND MAJOR PROJECTS BILL


MEDIA  RELEASE

7 M A R C H 2020

Ratepayers across Tasmania have every reason to be anxious about planning system changes being pushed through parliament or currently under review by the State Government.
9th April is a date common to both
  • the closing date for public submissions to a Review of the Tasmanian Planning Commission's Roles and Functions (see info here and here.
  • the closing date for public submissions to the government's Major Projects Bill

The Tasmanian Ratepayers Executive is concerned that these changes and reviews will facilitate the spectre of corruption in determining planning matters as experienced in other States, and an unwinding of the highly-regarded planning system in Tasmania, leading to massive restrictions for the public to have a say, and too much power put into the hands of politicians.

Democracy and transparency are important public ideals to be upheld. The public at large is already displeased and mobilised against the government's push. Witness the Westbury Prison imbroglio.

TRA opposes any planning system or project approval system that promotes secrecy or fast tracking approvals to facilitate major projects (or even not so major projects in fact) without a rigorous public or 3rd party involvement, and checks and balances to protect the public's interest.

All political donations and particularly those from developers need to be publicly announced and openly recorded in real time. Controversial projects from the past, like Pulp Mills, developments within Public Parks and Reserves, overly-tall buildings such as Fragrance and the failed Gorge Hotel, Cable Cars on Mt Wellington/kunanyi and Launceston's Cataract Gorge Reserve, could all be revived and approved by the simple declaration of a particular Minister, if the foreshadowed changes and provisions are implemented.

TRA Inc opposes any suggestion of the potential removal of planning responsibilities from Local Government, should a new and all-powerful State Planning bureaucracy be created in its stead, and does not see the need for wholesale changes to the Tasmanian Planning Commission. The Tasmania community has confidence in the TPC’s structure, roles and functions, with its proven independence and impartial role being essential in protecting the public's interest.

The best improvements to be implemented for the Tasmanian planning system should involve a better resourcing of TPC and Local Government, not just a 'status quo' outlook, but a strengthening and respect for ensuring community values and interests are properly and adequately upheld.

For Comment contact:  

  •  Mr. Alvaro Ascui 
  • Public Officer 
  • Tasmanian Ratepayers Assoc Inc 
  • PH 0418 993 743

Tasmanian Ratepayers’ Association Inc.
P.O. Box 1035,LAUNCESTON TAS 7250 

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