Regional Planning Framework

What is this about?

This project seeks improvement to the Regional Planning Framework (the framework), which is the legislative, regulatory and administrative arrangements that support regional land use planning in Tasmania.

Two main results are expected from this project.

The first is overall improvements to the framework, including potential updates to the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) which were intended to support the comprehensive review of the three existing regional land use strategies (RLUS). This was anticipated as part of the Phase 2 planning reforms. The second is the introduction of the draft Structure Plan Guidelines (draft SPG).

Updates to the legislative, regulatory and administrative arrangements have been put on hold following the Minister's decision to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the regional bodies to progress the RLUS review. The establishment of an MOU with each region is underway.

As part of the framework project, draft SPG were also prepared. These tools are non-mandatory, but help to guide strategic planning undertaken by councils, where a need, such as where more localised planning is required for a growth area, is identified in an RLUS.

Who is involved?

Public consultation on the Regional Planning Framework Discussion Paper (the Discussion Paper) and draft Structure Plan Guidelines (draft SPG) was open for three months between November 2022 and February 2023 (see Lifecycle section below for documents).

What is not included?

This project will not result in a direct review of the three existing regional land use strategies (RLUS). More information about the upcoming RLUS review is available.

How long will it take?

Work to achieve the first project has been put on hold and may resume at a later date.

The final Structure Plan Guidelines (SPG) are expected to be released in late 2024.

Background

The Tasmanian Government intends to deliver future improvements to the framework, but has paused this work to focus its efforts on the upcoming comprehensive review of the regional land use strategies (RLUS).

The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) provides for the making and, to a limited extent, the review of the RLUS. When the Discussion Paper was released, Government intended to deliver reforms to the regional planning framework in two stages. The Discussion Paper sought feedback on options for the Stage 1 improvements to the regional planning framework, including how it can better provide for the scope and purpose of the RLUS and processes around their assessment, review and amendment.

The Discussion Paper also introduced the draft Structure Plan Guidelines (draft SPG) for comment. Structure plans are already widely used as local strategic planning documents in Tasmania. They provide an important strategic link between the RLUS and the Local Provisions Schedules in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, so it is important that the plans be prepared to best guide the development or redevelopment of settlements by integrating and coordinating future land uses, development, and infrastructure provision in a sustainable and orderly manner.

The draft SPG aim to establish agreed processes, content and inputs for the preparation of structure plans. The SPO continues to work on finalising the Structure Plan Guidelines (SPG) as a key non-statutory instrument to guide the processes and standard for preparing structure plans.

Lifecycle