It seemed like a good idea at the time, and surely not something too hard to deliver.

In essence, it's not that different to build a house, offices, hotel or even something more complex whether you're in Smithton, Scottsdale or Sorell.

The engineering and architectural merits of the process don't differ between municipalities.

So the idea was if you were building something that was standard and generally an acceptable use in that area and zone, it should just be a case of ticking the box and pushing ahead.

But given we are into the second decade of the exercise, it would seem that was a completely overly ambitious expectation.

The push for a single statewide planning scheme goes back to the days of the Labor government. It was something they were unable to complete before they were booted out of office.

But now we are approaching the six year anniversary of the Liberal election victory and it still looks like it could be a long way off from being delivered.

Only a few stalwarts in our Parliament would remember the beginnings of the process, with the new Premier Peter Gutwein among the few who may see it through.

And given the regular airing of frustration from people from the home builder through to the large developer about planning in this state, maybe it's one for the top of his priority list.

The call for a total revamp of planning - read as removing it from the domain of councils - comes regularly.

This is primarily because of the regular issues that arise when councils overstep the bounds of their planning role.

Their either approving things that shouldn't get up, or knocking over and delaying developments which should just happen. The evidence supporting a bigger change to planning mounts daily.

At some stage the pleading of those who want reform will become too much to resist.

So it's up to all involved to get on with getting it right, or get out of the way.