Key points
- The Tasmanian Planning Scheme (TPS) is a single statewide scheme for Tasmania.
- The scheme consists of State Planning Provisions (SPPs) and Local Provisions Schedules (LPSs).
- It is progressively being rolled out across Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Planning Scheme is a single statewide scheme for Tasmania that consists of SPPs and LPS. The SPPs apply to all council areas as a consistent set of planning rules, whereas an LPS applies the rules to a specific council area.
State Planning Provisions (SPPs)
The SPPs are the state-wide rules that describe:
- The purpose and objectives of the scheme
- Planning definitions
- Exemptions
- Use classes
- Administrative provisions
- 23 zones
- 16 codes
The SPPs also include a template for a LPS, which is required for each municipal area.
Local Provisions Schedules (LPS)
The LPS show how the SPPs apply in a specific council area. They include:
- Zone maps
- Overlay maps
- Lists of places where codes apply
- Local area objectives
- Particular purpose zones
- Specific area plans
- Site-specific qualifications
The particular purpose zone, specific area plan and site specific qualifications allow a local council to craft a planning tool that suits a situation that the SPPs do not cover.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission maintains the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission is responsible for publishing planning schemes online. You can find the planning rules for your area on the Tasmanian Planning Scheme page on their website. You can also view the rules which govern how zones and codes can be applied.
Background
The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 was amended in 2015 to introduce the TPS. The aim was to replace 30 existing planning schemes with one single scheme that would apply consistently across Tasmania, while allowing some flexibility for local issues.
The SPPs were made by the Minister on 22 February 2017 and came into effect on 2 March 2017. However, the TPS only comes into effect in each council area when the LPS for that council area is approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
Burnie was the first council to make their LPS, and remaining councils have been working through the process.
Who is responsible for what?
The Minister for Planning is responsible for making the SPPs, ensuring that the rules are consistent across Tasmania.
Each council is responsible for making and amending its own LPS.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission is responsible for assessing and approving LPSs.
All amendments to the SPPs and LPSs must be approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
FAQ
Did the zones change between the Tasmanian Planning Scheme and the interim schemes?
The suite of zones in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme (the State Planning Provisions) are very similar to those in the interim planning schemes. When each Local Provisions Schedule is prepared by the council, the majority of land will be translated into the same zone. The planning rules in the State Planning Provisions came from analysing those in the interim planning schemes and in many cases are very similar.
In brief, it is anticipated that the zoning will remain the same in the majority of situations. The main changes were primarily in rural areas:
- Rural Resource became the Rural zone
- Significant Agriculture became the Agricultural zone
- The Environmental Living Zone was deleted
- The Landscape Conservation Zone was created.
Which of the State Planning Provisions will apply to my property?
The zone and codes relevant to your property will apply.