Tasmanians are urged to use their vote at the State Election to protect their local streets, towns and treasured National Parks and World Heritage Areas from inappropriate development.

Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania (PMAT) is inviting the community to a lunchtime meeting on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at 1.10 pm at the Hobart Town Hall to show their support for good planning to protect Tasmania’s special places. 

Guest speakers include John Dowson – former Deputy Mayor of Fremantle Council, Perth, WA, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Dr Phillipa McCormack -Lecturer in Law, University of Tasmania and researcher with the University of Adelaide, Alice Hardinge – Tasmanian Campaigns Manager, Wilderness Society Tasmania, and Anja Hilkemeijer – Lecturer in law at the University of Tasmania.

PMAT State Director Sophie Underwood said the Liberals had recently revealed plans to further water down Tasmania’s planning laws.

“The Liberals want to introduce Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) that will make it easier for developers and cut out local councils and communities. 

“DAPs would take development assessment and approval from local councils and remove planning appeal rights and with it the voice of the community. 

The proposed development assessment and approval process will apply to World Heritage Areas, National Parks and other Reserves plus all urban/private land.

“Come to our public meeting to help send a strong message to all State election candidates that this would be a backward step for transparency and democracy in Tasmania. Planning appeals are the only way to keep developers and decision makers to account.

“We hold that good planning is fundamental to supporting both people and nature to thrive.

 “It underpins a healthy democracy and informs our response to climate change. People should consider which candidates are committed to good planning before they vote.”

PMAT will survey all election candidates on these issues and publish the results ahead of the March 23 State Election.

PMAT State Director Sophie Underwood will be available to preview the #ScrapTheDAP meeting and plans to survey election candidates anytime from 11.30 am March 4, 2024 at Wellesley Street Park, South Hobart with kunanyi / Mount Wellington in background . For Comment: Sophie Underwood 0407501999