Say yes to a healthy democracy/Say no to DAPs

The Tasmanian government has released draft legislation to empower the Planning Minister to remove assessment and approval of developments from the normal local council process and have it done by Development Assessment Panels (DAPs). This fast-track process will remove elected councillors from having a say on the most controversial and destructive developments affecting local communities. There will be no right for the community to appeal the final decision to the planning tribunal. The criteria being considered would enable virtually any development, except for industrial and mining developments regulated by the EPA, to be taken out of the normal local council assessment process and instead be assessed by DAPs, including developments already refused such as the kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car, high-rise buildings in Hobart and new developments such as large-scale subdivisions like Skylands development at Droughty Point. 

The Planning Minister can take a development assessment from councils mid-way through the development assessment process if the developer doesn’t like the way it is heading. 

The bill currently out for public comment will provide a new fast tracked DAP process to provide a permit for developments on both private and public land including World Heritage Areas, National Parks and Reserves. The government also intends to introduce new legislation that will provide fast tracked approvals under the National Parks and Reserves Management Act for developments in reserved land.

The Planning Minister would also have new powers to instruct councils to commence planning scheme changes, but perversely, only when a local council has rejected such an application. 

Transparency, independence and public participation in decision-making are critical for a healthy democracy.