The Tasmanian government has launched its latest attempt to introduce development assessment panels, this time without the rhetoric that derailed previous efforts.
Planning Minister Kerry Vincent has released a revised draft bill for public consultation, notably absent of the “anti-everything brigade” language used by his predecessor.
“The government has taken onboard feedback from earlier community consultation held earlier this year in preparing this revised bill,” Vincent said.
“As a government we are always seeking to get the balance right and have welcomed this feedback as we look to improve our planning system.”
The new bill removes the minister’s power to refer applications to panels, previously a key concern from critics.
Vincent said councils would “remain involved, providing expert advice to DAPs”.
The change in tone marks a departure from last year’s push, when councillors were accused of blocking projects through “petty local politics from the anti-everything brigade”.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor at the time slammed those comments as disgraceful, saying they undermined productive relationships with local government.
The Legislative Council rejected the previous bill 8-6 in November 2024, after all 29 Tasmanian councils voted against it.
The proposed panels would provide an optional pathway for certain development applications to bypass council assessment.
The Tasmanian Planning Commission would manage the process and appoint panel members.
Most development applications would continue under the existing council-led process, the government says.
Public consultation on the revised bill closes on December 12.
