OVERVIEW
The Tasmanian State Government is moving all Councils to a single Planning Scheme, known as the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. The Tasmanian Planning Scheme is made up of two parts: the State Planning Provisions (SPPs) and Local Provisions Schedules (LPS). The diagram below shows how they fit together.
The State Planning Provisions (SPPs) are the planning rules, standardised zones and codes, approved by the Minister for Planning. They will apply across Tasmania.
Each Council area will also have a Local Provisions Schedule (LPS) that sets out where the zones and codes will apply.
Below is a diagram describing the process that will be followed to introduce the new planning scheme in Kingborough.
EXHIBITION PERIOD
The Public Exhibition period concluded on Monday, 9 December 2024.
The Exhibition Period allowed time for people to view the draft Planning Scheme and to consider how it may potentially affect them. During this period people submitted written representations to indicate support, raise concerns or object to the proposed new scheme.
REPORT TO COUNCIL
The report on the representations (S35F report) was considered at the public Council Meeting on Monday, 21 July 2025. The agenda can be viewed here: Agenda – 21 July 2025 – Kingborough Council, or the Audio recording may be listened to on the same part of the site.
HEARINGS HELD BY TASMANIAN PLANNING COMMISSION (TPC)
Part of the statutory process is the public hearings held by the TPC, to consider the representations that were made during the public exhibition period. The TPC would also consider the s35F report, mentioned above and submissions/responses made the Council during the hearings.
The public hearings are scheduled to be between 20 August 2025 and 1 December 2025; all representors have been invited by the TPC to attend the hearings. The hearings are designed to be accessible for all people to attend and talk about their concerns that were raised in their submission, therefore they are not overly formal and do not require professional representation. However, some representors may choose to have someone represent them or a group of people with a similar interest.
Once the hearing is underway and when it is a representor’s turn to be heard, there is no need to read the original written comments to Council out aloud. The representor can simply highlight the issues they think are most important and stick to relevant planning issues. The TPC may ask the representor to elaborate on parts of their representation or respond to other questions. The TPC can also ask Council to respond to any questions or discussions at the hearings.
The hearing is recorded, but only to help the delegates (the recording is not transcribed). Others at the hearing are not allowed to record the hearing.
The hearings may result in further changes to the draft LPS, which may then be re-advertised if those changes are considered substantial.
More information about the TPC hearings dates and process is available on the TPC’s website.
DECISION
When the TPC is satisfied that no further amendments or hearings are required, it will publish its decision and announce the date that the new Planning Scheme will come into effect. The TPC has indicated that the final decision will not be made before April 2026.