Planning Minster Peter Gutwein has ordered a review of the state's building scheme and flagged major changes to the way Tasmanian councils would assess minor renovation and home building works.

Those changes may include the removal of a $5000 threshold for building permits, as well as reducing the requirements for plumbing permits for low-risk work.

What this means is that if someone who is planning on constructing a fairly rudimentary deck, shed or carport in their backyard under the value of $5000 - provided there are no extenuating or high-risk circumstances - would not be required to apply for building permits from a council as they currently stand.

It is important to note that any work would need to be carried out by a qualified and accredited builder, thus giving certain guarantees regarding build quality.

If a renovator or home owner simply wanted to construct a basic, pre-built or kit-form double carport on their level block, they could save somewhere in the vicinity of $300 in council fees - and that doesn't include the cost of having it ticked off on by an accredited building surveyor once complete.

It must be remembered that the term "low-risk" was included in Mr Gutwein's proposal, meaning any multi-level construction or work of a structural nature to existing premises would still require a permit. And so it should.

Imagine the potential risk of allowing a dodgy porch to be built several metres off the ground. We've all read those stories of people being severely injured and even killed when substandard landings and balconies have collapsed.

Launceston City Council general manager Robert Dobrzynki argued against Mr Gutwein's plan, saying that the council was still best placed to rule on safety concerns and the placement of a proposal.

Surely, however, any scheme that has the potential to benefit our building industry as well as save ratepayers money with virtually no risk attached can only be seen as a plus.