Tasmania’s proposed planning reform could bypass council assessment, mayors warn.

The state government is looking to get around local government assessments on certain high-value developments.

Draft legislation proposes the creation of Development Assessment Panels (DAPs), appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, to review specific applications - such as projects valued over $10 million in cities, or those endorsed for affordable housing by Homes Tasmania - without council oversight.

The new framework would also allow the planning minister to mandate DAP assessments if a project is “significant”, “controversial”, or complex, or if the council has a conflict of interest. 

One mayor has described the move as “a solution looking for a problem” that would take “the voice of the community out of planning decisions”, with limited appeal options.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff defended the reform as “sensible planning”, arguing it would address local councils’ history of blocking housing projects and reduce political influence on decisions. 

He described mayors' concerns as “self-interest and grandstanding”.

The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has raised its concerns in a submission on the draft bill, saying the government’s consultation process is “inflexible” and noting that councils approved over 95 per cent of development applications in 2021-22, with most decisions delegated to council officers.

On the other side, the Property Council of Tasmania has endorsed the reforms, saying DAPs would ensure “unbiased and expert assessment”.

The legislation is expected to reach parliament within weeks.

More details are accessible here.

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