Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Planning spokesperson
It was standing room only at the Tasmanian Planning Commission Hearing into the Statewide Planning Provisions in Hobart, with people struggling to hear proceedings.
There was universal discontent with the process and the lack of time for proper community consultation about planning changes.
The TPC needs to radically rethink its planning provisions hearing process.
The current hearing schedule focuses on single zone issues, and will mostly be held in Hobart. There's only a single day in Burnie and West Tamar to tackle "regional issues".
If Statewide Planning Provisions hearings are held without change, many Tasmanians will risk having their voice not heard. At the moment the proposed hearings are far too limited in scope, and will lock out northern and regional Tasmanians.
The Tasmanian Planning Scheme is being rushed through at the expense of regional Tasmanians, as well as the disengaged and less literate.
Most people haven't had enough time to engage with the complex and voluminous changes to planning laws.
The Statewide Planning Scheme changes must have comprehensive statewide consultation.
The way the proposed hearings are structured will make it impossible to discuss overarching issues. Stakeholders like MONA and UTAS, along with conservation and ratepayers' groups, raised concerns about the "zone only" focus in the directions hearing today.
We heard from a farmer and saw-miller from Huonville, who was concerned that planning changes may mean he loses his investment and his children's inheritance.
The Planning Commission needs to listen to the strong views expressed in today's hearing and rethink the Statewide Planning Scheme consultation. It's too important to rush through.