City still not sold on state intrusion

HOBART City Council’s planning committee has agreed with council officers that the State Government’s revision of proposed major projects legislation has not addressed the council’s original concerns.

Ministerial call-in powers for significant developments were promised by the Liberals in the 2014 election campaign, with a draft Bill released last August.

However, the Mercury revealed that the legislation would not be tabled in Parliament before the state election, due to the Government’s decision to strengthen the draft Bill “to completely eliminate the possibility that it could be used for skyscrapers”.

It means the future of the Bill will depend on the outcome of the election.

The Hobart City Council planning committee last night agreed to a recommendation from officers that the council should advise the State Government that it sees no need for the draft Bill amending the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act to introduce a new major projects assessment process.

The recommendation is similar to one previously agreed to by the council.

The council has concerns about the use of the term “significant” in the Bill being broad and not defined.

“While the amendments to the draft Bill are considered an improvement, they do not address Council’s concerns about the need for or operation of elements of the proposed legislation,” the report to the planning committee said.

It will now be considered by a full council meeting.