Planning Minister Roger Jaensch said the legislation would replace the Projects of Regional Significance framework with a new assessment process. 

“The draft bill provides for a staged approval process to give greater certainty,” he said. 

“Revisions to the bill will reinforce the key processes of independent assessment and public consultation.”

The legislation would enable the Planning Minister to pick the types of projects that could be assessed by an expert planning panel and streamline planning, environmental, cultural, and conservation approvals.

It would also let developers know early whether there was no reasonable prospect of approval under the assessment process.

Building height is not relevant in determining whether a project is a major project under the legislation.

About 200 submissions were received by the government in October 2017, which resulted in large amendments and a second paper released.

This received 150 submissions.

Tasmania’s Projects of Regional Significance framework was implemented in 2009, but has never been used.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein last year said it was found to be too complicated and disjointed to appeal to investors.

Local Government Association of Tasmania chief executive Katrena Stephenson said the bill did not legally define what was a significant project.

This meant it was open to interpretation and a high number of projects could claim to be eligible in meeting this criteria.

She said advice from the Tasmania Planning Commission to the minister to declare a project eligible for assessment under the legislation needed to be made public.

Dr Stephenson criticised the exclusion of tall buildings from being considered major projects.

“The exclusion of tall buildings is unwarranted and poor public policy, clearly included to exclude certain current development proposals attracting significant public interest,” she said.

Dr Stephenson raised concerns over the process by which the independent panel would impose conditions on a development but transfer monitoring and compliance responsibilities back onto councils.

Tasmania Conservation Trust director Peter McGlone said while members of the community would be able to make representations on a project, they had no right to appeal a decision made by the assessment panel.

Property Council of Australia state executive director Brian Wightman said the legislation overall was welcome, but the government should consider the costs incurred and timeframes around potential development approvals.