There is opposition from a range of sectors to the draft State Planning Scheme, with concerns it minimises public consultation and weakens environmental protections.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Community, science and environment groups expressed concern on Friday that the new scheme will remove transparency and a rigorous approvals process, where the public can hold developers and government to account.
Changes to the approvals process in national parks will leave approvals to the discretion of the Parks and Wildlife Service.
“If [developers] receive necessary approvals by the Parks and Wildlife Service it’s automatically approved by councils so there’s no opportunity for public comments and certainly no opportunity for third party appeal rights, which is essentially what keeps our governments honest,” Tasmanian National Parks Association spokesman Nick Sawyer said.
“It could be, the first we know of a major development ... is when we see building starting.”
Mr Sawyer said an already severely under-resourced parks service will not be able to do community consultation on developments.
Minister for Planning Peter Gutwein said the public will not be excluded from the development process.
“Once the rules are set local government remains as the planning authority and the public can have their say on developments just like they can now. To suggest the public will be excluded is simply wrong," he said.
