A Labor MP says councillors “don’t actually understand” how to apply planning schemes, throwing his support behind the state government’s proposal to strip councils of some planning decision-making powers.
Shane Broad, a former Central Coast councillor, spoke in favour of the government’s bill to establish independent development assessment panels in Parliament on Thursday.
Using the case of a former adult store proposed for the main street of Ulverstone while he was on council, Broad said the somewhat controversial proposal led to a refusal that “completely ignored” the planning scheme.
“There was such incredible pressure put on councillors to vote contrary to the planning scheme,” he said.
The appeals process took three months and the applicant eventually ran out of money and moved away.
“Councillors, especially new councillors, a lot of times don’t actually understand how to … apply the planning scheme,” Broad said.
“You have two hats. You have the hat that metaphorically means you represent your community’s feelings, passions and you put things in place for the benefit of the community.”
“But the moment you are determining a planning application, you have to throw that away and you have to become a planning bureaucrat to apply the planning scheme.”
He acknowledged that councils are generally considered to be good planning authorities but said they can make “flawed decisions”.
“I just make that point to say that if anybody pretends that councils always make perfect decisions, I think they’re wrong,” he said.
The government’s proposed planning reforms were passed by the House of Assembly on Wednesday evening.
Under the changes, which have been rejected by the Local Government Association of Tasmania, independent panels will assess certain large developments or those seen as potentially controversial.
Planning Minister Felix Ellis said the panel will provide greater certainty for developers and the community.
“This is about job creation, making opportunity and telling Tasmanians if your proposal meets the planning rules then you should get a fair go,” he said.
“Our DAPs will deliver more homes and be a force for positive change and progress statewide.”
The bill was supported by both the Liberals and Labor.
It was opposed by The Greens, Lambie MP Andrew Jenner and independents Miriam Beswick, Craig Garland, David O’Byrne, Rebekah Pentland and Kristie Johnston.
