Talking Point: No fast-track, shortcuts or easy routes in Major Projects process

New framework will allow Tasmania to compete for and retain investment as we recover, writes Roger Jaensch

DEVELOPMENT: Tasmanian Government has no plans to refer the cable car on kunanyi/Mt Wellington to the Major Projects process. Image: MWCC

CONSULTATION for the Tasmanian Government’s major projects legislation officially closes on Friday.

This is critical legislation, which will form an important part of our recovery process, helping to regenerate and create more jobs for Tasmanians at a time when they will need it most.

Tasmania is not alone in our need to secure and progress major projects to support our economic recovery, and it’s vitally important we have the right framework in place to compete for, and retain, public and private investment in our state. Major projects like wind farms, transmission networks, major linear infrastructure works and major manufacturing plants will create jobs for Tasmanians and help us work our way back from the impacts of COVID-19. And that’s what the legislation is all about — an appropriate, streamlined process for projects that are of a scale, strategic significance or complexity beyond the normal capacity and resources of local planning authorities to assess, especially those that cross municipal boundaries and involve multiple acts and regulators.

Disappointingly, there has been a lot of misinformed commentary from those who have decided to oppose this legislation, while apparently ignoring the content of the bill itself.

Any mentions of “skyscrapers” or controversial projects is bound to get a reaction, which is exactly why those opposed to the legislation are throwing them out there, even when they know the legislation is unlikely to be used for those projects. With the consultation period closing today, I want everyone to know the facts, not the myths.

We have consistently said the major projects legislation provides no fast-tracks, shortcuts or easy routes. Any suggestion it will be used to bypass normal processes to approve controversial projects is simply wrong.

Historic Cambria Green homestead, site of a major East Coast proposal.

Take the cable car, for example. This is already being assessed by the Hobart City Council, and the government has repeatedly said we have no plans to refer it to the major projects process. The reality is, if we did want to intervene, we would have already done so by using the existing Projects of Regional Significance process, which is much less constrained than under the major projects process.

In fact, most of the proposals being bandied around as reasons to oppose the legislation are either unable or highly unlikely to be considered eligible to be classified as a major project, including Lake Malbena, Cambria Green and high-rise buildings. The major projects legislation is designed to improve on and replace the current Projects of Regional Significance process, and to complement other planning processes, sitting alongside standard development applications, Major Infrastructure Development Assessments and Projects of State Significance.

It does not bypass the Tasmanian Planning Commission or any existing regulators.

In fact, the assessment of a major project is undertaken by a panel of independent experts, specially convened by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, in conjunction with those regulators.

Anyone opposed to specific projects should welcome a process that elevates the assessment process to independent expert panels.

The facts are important, and that is why we have done extensive consultation, on three separate occasions, so everyone can have their say, and it has been fantastic to see the interest that many Tasmanians have shown in this important reform.

Tasmania went into the coronavirus challenge with the nation’s fastest growing economy. The impacts of coronavirus have been swift, and they have been hard on our economy, and it is vital we have the right processes in place to help Tasmania get back in business.

Roger Jaensch is Tasmanian Planning Minister.