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IRIS Tasmania  >  Planning and Development

Planning and Development

Tools:

Maps – Planning

Development Approval Flowcharts – Land Use

Development Approval Flowcharts – Other

construction siteThis section covers the fundamentals of planning and development in Tasmania. It describes Tasmania's Resource Management and Planning System and describes who is responsible for planning and approval processes across the State.

The most common approval processes required for development in Tasmania are described in detail in flowchart format. The charts link out to appropriate web sites and footnotes where possible. They are also available in text format and in PDF format to print.

Six processes are currently detailed under Land Use Development and Other Development.

Information on other local, State and Commonwealth business licences that may be required in Tasmania, can be obtained from the Business Licence Information Service.

Tasmania's Planning System

Tasmania's Resource Management and Planning System (RMPS) was established in 1994 to achieve sustainable outcomes from the use and development of the State's natural and physical resources.

The RMPS covers a variety of areas including: land use and development, State policies and projects, environmental management and pollution control, historic cultural heritage and major infrastructure development approvals.

Decisions by local planning authorities and State Agencies under the RMPS on the use and development of resources take into account wider economic, social and environmental implications. In doing so, the objective is to focus on how use and development occurs rather than what it is or even where it is located.

The Guide to the Resource Management and Planning System outlines the processes and instruments that make up Tasmania's Resource Management and Planning System.

Governance

The Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) is an independent statutory body established by the Resource Planning and Development Commission Act 1997. It oversees the State's planning system, and is responsible for the following principle functions:

  • assessment and approval of local government planning schemes and planning scheme amendments
  • assessment of Projects of State Significance
  • assessment of Draft State Policies
  • preparation of the Tasmanian State of the Environment report
  • conducting inquiries into the use of public land
  • review of the representations and the report of the Secretary of the Department of Primary industries and Water relating to draft water management plans
  • consideration of draft development plans and any representations, statements and recommendations contained in a report of the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.

The Department of Justice provides policy direction related to the State's statutory land use planning processes, including issues related to planning legislation, associated statutory functions and the general provision of advice to the Planning Minister.

Legislation and Planning Schemes

The RMPS is a framework of legislation. The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) is the principal planning Act, and provides for the preparation and amendment of planning schemes and the development assessment process, including development applications, appeals and enforcements.

LUPAA is supported by the State Policies and Projects Act 1993, the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal Act 1993 and the Resource Planning and Development Commission Act 1997.

Much of the planning system is delivered on a day-to-day basis by local government through planning schemes. A planning scheme outlines the strategic objectives for a local government area and for specific zones.  It details relevant performance criteria and the type of use and development permitted in particular locations of situations.  A planning scheme is the basis under which councils issue planning permits for use and development. It comprises a text document (ordinance) and a set of planning scheme maps showing the different land use zones. The two must be read in conjunction with one another. A planning scheme is binding on all members of the public, State Government agencies, public authorities and local councils.