The Tasmanian Government is reforming the State’s planning system by introducing a single planning scheme for the State – the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.
The Tasmanian Planning Scheme comprises two parts:
– The State Planning Provisions (SPPs), and
– The Local Provisions Schedules (LPSs).
Tasmanian Planning Scheme – State Planning Provisions
The SPPs that form part of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme are designed to provide a consistent set of planning rules and provides for 23 zones and 16 codes that apply State-wide making up a suite of controls that are to be applied by local councils.
The zones indicate what use and development is appropriate for each zone such as residential, business, agriculture, utilities, environmental and recreational uses.
The codes provide pathways or requirements for dealing with land use issues which occur across Tasmania and may apply across a range of zones, covering matters such as natural hazards, local heritage values, natural assets, parking requirements and the protection of road, railway and electricity infrastructure.
Local Provisions Schedules
The LPSs are intended to apply the SPPs while meeting local needs and objectives. The LPSs that apply to each municipal area include zone and overlay maps (indicating where the zones and codes apply), local area objectives, code lists, particular purpose zones, specific area plans, and any site-specific qualifications. Councils are responsible for preparing the LPSs for their municipal area.
Councils are required to amend their zone maps, to implement the suite of zones provided for in the SPPs. The zone maps will be largely a translation from the current Interim Planning Schemes. In considering any zoning conversion or rezoning the Council is constrained by the guidelines provided by the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) see Guideline No. 1 – Local Provisions Schedules (LPS): zone and code application.
Guidance_for_drafting_local_provisions_schedules
The Huon Valley Council’s planning team is currently undertaking the work required to translate the Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2015 to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme template.
Process for implementation
Once the work required to translate the Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2015 to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme template is complete, Council will submit the draft LPSs to the TPC for consideration prior to the public exhibition and assessment process. Councils are required under the applicable legislation, LUPA Act 1993 (the Act), to publicly exhibit their draft LPSs for 60 days.
The Act provides that any person can make a representation (submission) on the draft LPSs within that 60 day time period. The Council is then required to report to the TPC on the representations it has received. The TPC will undertake the statutory assessment of representations on the draft LPSs.
The completion of LPSs and the timeline for their completion has changed from initial timeframes announced by the State Government. The estimated timeframe for submission of Council’s proposed LPSs to the TPC is mid-2018. Please note, the final implementation of the approved LPSs cannot be confirmed at this time, as they will be subject to the statutory process determined by the TPC following Council’s submission.
Please keep an eye out for any community consultation for this project conducted by either the Huon Valley Council or the TPC. Regular updates can also be found on our website.
More information on the Tasmanian Planning Scheme can be obtained from: