Independent assessment of major projects the focus of new laws to be introduced in May

The State Government says its new major projects assessment laws will provide certainty for proponents and transparency for the community — But one MP has labelled them “sneaky and smelly”.

NEW major projects laws will help developers spirit big projects through the approvals process more easily, Premier Peter Gutwein says.

The new laws will replace old Projects of Regional Significance rules, which have never been used.

They will apply to major projects which are high value or complex, or declared as a major project by the planning minister or their developers.

Premier Peter Gutwein with Planning Minister Roger Jaensch. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

The legislation will take decisions out of the hands of local councils and put them in the hands of Independent Development Assessment Panels appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

Draft legislation, described by the Premier as “sensible”, has been released for public comment.

Planning Minister Roger Jaensch denied the move would remove or reduce democratic input in planning for major projects by shifting decision-making from elected officials into the hands of bureaucrats.

“We’ve had some concern in the past that people have been a bit suspicious that the government is trying to create the power to take decision-making away from councils and make it political,” he said.

“What we’re presenting here is a process which is more independent, more rigorous and more transparent than anything we’ve got now.

“Why wouldn’t you want big important projects to be assessed that way?”

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff.

But Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff was gravely concerned.

“We don’t support the intent of this legislation because at its fundament is a fast track for developers” she said.

“It sidelines communities, it removes the role of local councils and it provides no right to appeal. It is fundamentally unjust.”

Dr Woodruff said the legislation could be used to push though developments like the Fragrance Group’s skyscraper hotel proposals or the Mt Wellington cable car.

She said the legislation was being put up before a review of the State Planning Commission was even complete.

“This is sneaky, it is smelly. And at given this government’s current record of failure to be open with Tasmanians, people should be concerned about having their right to say being taken away.”