National Trust warns heritage on a backburner under new planning laws

NATIONAL Trust Tasmania warns cheap fringe development could swallow up Tasmanian history under new planning laws.

National Trust Tasmania have concerns a new statewide planning scheme will not protect heritage towns such as Evandale, and the St Andrews Anglican Church. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

OLD towns dotted across the Tasmanian landscape risk being swallowed up by sprawling suburban development under a new statewide planning scheme, warns the National Trust.

The state branch of the National Trust is concerned the character of Tasmania’s colonial towns and rural landscape will be compromised under State Government planning reforms.

National Trust Tasmania deputy chair Warwick Oakman said the Trust was not opposed to appropriate urban growth within cities, but the planned changes risked “the very essence of what makes Tasmania magic” in terms of its picturesque and historically significant rural landscape and townships.

National Trust Tasmania deputy chair Warwick Oakman.

He said the changes appeared to allow scope for development between historic towns, with no clear buffer zones.

“You have the opportunity of having one big suburb going all the way from Burnie to Launceston, from Launceston to Perth and Evandale and from Kempton to Hobart,” Mr Oakman said.

He said the unique characteristics of Tasmania’s charming 19th century townships were a huge tourism drawcard that needed protecting.

“They are a big attraction … and the longer they survive the more significant they become,” Mr Oakman said.

The State Government’s draft planning provisions are attracting a growing number of opponents concerned that the laws are aimed at fast-tracking development at the expense of environment and heritage values.

A large crowd attend Tasmanian Planning Reform Public Meeting at the Hobart Town Hall. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Last week about 400 people packed the Hobart Town Hall to listen to groups opposed to the reforms, which would see a statewide planning system replace the 29 different council scheme.

The Government expects the proposals to make planning cheaper, faster, fairer and simpler.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein said he was committed to preserving Tasmania’s built heritage and had consulted with heritage experts in drafting the code.

“The Government has consulted extensively in developing the draft heritage code and in particular, we have sought feedback from Heritage Tasmania and the Tasmanian Heritage Council,” he said.

The changes are backed by developers through the Property Council of Australia. The council’s state executive director Brian Wightman said the reforms would provide certainty and clarity for heritage properties, streetscapes and towns.

“It is important that there is a consistent approach across the state, particularly in the case of heritage, which will deliver transparency and accountability in councils’ decision making regarding local government heritage lists,” he said.

But the National Trust, in its submission on the draft planning provisions, slams them for “placing heritage on a shrinking back burner”.

“The cultural heritage landscape of Tasmania is of unique national and international character,” says the Trust’s submission.

It says towns across the Midlands and the Tasman Peninsula represent a collective landscape worthy of World Heritage listing, yet their fate is uncertain.

“Their character deserves careful monitoring, based on their very Tasmanian colonial flavour and vernacular identity. They are at risk of cheap, complying, fringe developments which the planning provisions allow.”

The Trust says development allowed under the reforms could see the towns “turn into a series of identical statewide suburbs”.

Originally published as National Trust warns heritage on a backburner under new planning laws