The state government says it has delayed a key piece of planning legislation due to community concern about skyscrapers, while the Greens say the delay is emblematic of a government “in disarray”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The major project legislation was put out for public consultation in September, but the government announced on Wednesday that it would be putting it out for further consultation early in December.
Planning Minister Peter Gutwein said this meant the legislation would not be considered by the state parliament before the next state election, which is due in March.
This was despite the fact that the Liberals promised at the 2014 election to deliver major project reform.
The draft major project laws will seek to streamline the approval process for large developments and allow the minister to call in certain projects from councils.
“Following community feedback the draft laws have been strengthened to completely eliminate the possibility that it could be used for skyscrapers,” Mr Gutwein said.
“These draft laws will provide certainty of process, independent expert assessment and ensure Tasmania is a great place to invest, but they will also protect what makes Tasmania so special.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor, however, said the draft legislation was “a highly controversial piece of legislation that has provoked legitimate public concern”.
“It would … give developers the red carpet treatment straight through to the minister’s office,” Ms O’Connor said.
“We’re asking the Premier to commit to Tasmanians not to bring this legislation forward.
“It would absolutely be a recipe for corruption and he needs to go to the next election, in our view, saying that they’ve abandoned this pro-developer, potential for corruption legislation.”
Master Builders Tasmania executive director Michael Kerschbaum said that while it was “unfortunate” that the government had put the draft legislation out for further consultation, it would be worth it if the best outcome was achieved.
“The government saw fit to redraft [the legislation] to ensure high-rises weren’t in the remit of the legislation,” Mr Kerschbaum said.
“An extra few months’ delay in getting this done won’t be a big deal.”
Mr Kerschbaum said the proposed new major project assessment system would be “really integrated” and “iterative”.
