Dr WOODRUFF - Minister, you've outlined a process for the state planning provisions, and you talked earlier about the small 'p' policies. State policies make sure planning is consistent and forward thinking as well as unfettered by political and development interests and by different governments coming and going. Funding really hasn't been evident for a long time for state policies. We've only got three.
Can you tell me what the small 'p' policies that you're planning are, and which ones you will prioritise and what time frame there will be? Also, whether you've got plans for any state policies which is the higher order than the ones that you're proposing?
Mr JAENSCH - You're right. There are three state policies operating in Tasmania at the moment. A state policy on protection of agricultural land, coastal policy and the policy on water quality management. Unlike state policies, the Tasmanian planning policies which we're about to commence developing, will inform the development of rather than overriding other planning instruments. For example, the TPPs might inform the way a regional land use strategy guides settlement patterns and growth, or the allocation of how much land should be made available for particular sectors, such as industrial development.
They will also inform reviews of the planning directions and controls set out in the SPPs that apply to individual development application and the application of zoning and overlays in the LPSs. They are not intended to apply directly to individual development applications, but provide that strategic purpose and guidance to the overall planning system which then becomes the rationale used against which to review regional land use strategies and reviews of things like the statewide planning provisions.
Dr WOODRUFF - The state planning policies, it's proposed that they would go to the TPC for assessment and approval. The TPC review is completed, but is it true that that review actually proposes a state planning agency that would deal with planning policies which wouldn't be an independent body?
Mr JAENSCH - The review goes to a clearer separation between where planning policies and policy advice comes from and where assessments are made, particularly in terms of the involvement, say, of government staff in roles as commissioners in the TPC which has been part of the model thus far.
I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the review document which is on the Justice website. It's comprehensive and the whole thing has been put there so that everyone gets to absorb it. That will inform consultation on the Government's response to the review in what might be a series of amendments to legislation that are required.
Dr WOODRUFF - To my question, would the state planning policies go to the planning commission? As you say, they are to guide Tasmania's planning into the future, so surely they'd go to the commission for assessment and sign-off?
Mr JAENSCH - The state policies are a different thing.
Dr WOODRUFF - No, not state polices. The Tasmanian planning policies?
Mr JAENSCH - I will get Mr Risby to refer to the process of assessment of the TPPs.
Mr RISBY - This process is set out in the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act. It was an amendment made to introduce a process for establishing the TPPs which includes public exhibition of drafts and a review by the commission and a reporting from the commission to the minister, similar to the state planning provisions process.