URGENT: Act Now before 2 September
Restrain the power of the Minister for Planning
The Land Use Planning and Approvals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026 (the Bill) passed the House of Assembly on 12 August 2026. The Bill is now before the Legislative Council and could be debated as early as 2 September 2026.
In the ten years of PMAT’s advocacy, this is the most complex Bill we have ever worked on. Not even a top planning lawyer could give us definitive advice on what we believe to be unprecedented new powers granted to the Minister for Planning.
The Bill allows for a concentration of Ministerial power. It enables a system whereby the Minister initiates the draft amendment to a planning scheme, with statewide application, and then holds the ultimate veto or approval power.
PMAT fears this is a power grab by the Minister for Planning, taking on new rezoning powers which former Minister for Planning Peter Gutwein promised would be the responsibility of Local Government.
Communities and local councils will have little recourse if a Minister decides to push through a controversial statewide planning zone change – particularly those that favour specific commercial or political interests over local community interests or strategic planning.
This could include, for example, planning zoning changes to facilitate data centres and property development.
When a politician can modify or approve rules that affect every region in the state, on both public and private land, without being bound by independent recommendations from the Tasmanian Planning Commission, it diminishes public confidence in the fairness of the planning system.
Key amendments to the Bill will help constrain what we believe to be the unfettered power of the Minister for Planning. Help us call on the Legislative Council to support these critical amendments.
The vote could be as early as 2 September 2026. Please take action now using the suggested email template below.
Step 1: Email all Legislative Council
craig.farrell@parliament.tas.gov.au; bec.thomas@parliament.tas.gov.au; cassy.oconnor@parliament.tas.gov.au; clare.glade-wright@parliament.tas.gov.au; rosemary.armitage@parliament.tas.gov.au; tania.rattray@parliament.tas.gov.au; michael.gaffney@parliament.tas.gov.au; casey.hiscutt@parliament.tas.gov.au; ruth.forrest@parliament.tas.gov.au; meg.webb@parliament.tas.gov.au; luke.edmunds@parliament.tas.gov.au; kerry.vincent@parliament.tas.gov.au; jo.palmer@parliament.tas.gov.au; sarah.lovell@parliament.tas.gov.au; nick.duigan@parliament.tas.gov.au; planningmatterstas@gmail.com
Step 2: Copy suggested email heading
Restrain the power of the Minister for Planning: Land Use Planning and Approvals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026
Step 3: Send suggested email text
Please courteously personalise your email. Personalising your message creates a powerful impact with Parliamentarians.
The Land Use Planning and Approvals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026 (the Bill) passed the House of Assembly on 12 August 2026. The Bill could be debated in the Legislative Council as early as 2 September 2026.
I call on you to pass the Bill with critically important amendments which will help constrain what we believe to be the unfettered power of the Minister for Planning:
Clause 4: Clause 4 gives the Minister for Planning the power to direct the spatial application of all 23 planning Zones and 16 planning Codes of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, not just the hazard mapping codes. Amend Clause 4 to allow the State Government to direct the spatial application of hazard mapping codes and essential infrastructure mapping only.
Clause 5: Clause 5 relates to the criteria the Minister for Planning must consider when making an Interim State Planning Provision amendment. Interim State Planning Provision amendments are a very powerful planning tool where the changes take immediate effect, literally overnight, for a maximum of 12 months from the day they come into effect with no prior consultation with residents, councils, and community groups. Clause 5 of the Bill proposes to expand this power. A similar power, Planning Directive No. 6 (PD6) (Planning Directive No. 6 Exemption and Standards for Visitor Accommodation in Planning Schemes) was used to bring in short stay visitor accommodation, contributing to a reduction in long-term rental housing supply and driving up housing costs in Tasmania. Amend 30NB(4)(a) of the Principal Act to restrict the criteria the Minister for Planning must consider when making an Interim State Planning Provisions amendment to: (4) The Minister may only make an interim SPPs amendment under subsection (3)(a) in the terms of some or all of the provisions of a draft amendment of the SPPs, modified, if at all, as the Minister thinks fit, if the Minister is satisfied that (a) it is necessary or desirable to make the interim SPPs amendment in order to urgently address issues relating to a natural or environmental hazard, public health, AND public safety, and DELETE: or a prescribed circumstance or matter;
Sincerely,
Your name
Step 4: Please share!
This is our chance to be heard before the Legislative Council vote. Please share and act quickly. Thank you for your support.
Further Information
State Planning Provisions Review
The Tasmanian Planning Scheme (i.e. the State Planning Provisions) must be reviewed every five years. The first State Planning Provisions Review started in 2022 and continues. 162 submissions were received. PMAT’s submission (here and submission 150) raised 22 key concerns with associated recommendations for improvement (see page 9 for key concerns). PMAT also engaged three planning experts to make specific recommendations to improve Tasmania’s residential standards, and how we best manage built heritage and biodiversity through the planning system. We also re-submitted the Heart Foundation 2016 submission to re-emphasise the critical link between planning and mental and physical health.
PIA – What is Planning
The Planning Institute of Australia has released an excellent 2 minute video explaining planning and just how important it is! Planning is about how we shape our communities.
PMAT opinion piece published in the Mercury August 22, 2022: “Let’s imagine a planning system which benefits all the community“
This Factsheet was created in around 2017 when the Tasmanian Liberal Governmment introduced the Statewide/Tasmanian Planning Scheme and the promises they made about planning in Tasmania.
What role will Councils have?
forms a strong partnership in ensuring the community has confidence in the Planning Scheme.
Other Actions You Can Take
1. Subscribe to PMAT
That’s why it’s so important to have community awareness and engagement. When we stay informed and take action together, we can ensure planning decisions reflect the needs and values of our communities.
2. Add to the community discussion via talk back radio or text in
ABC Statewide Mornings: 0438 922 936.
3. Add to the community discussion by writing letters/articles to the Editor.
Add to the community discussion by writing letters/articles to the Editor. See PMAT’s letter writing guide.
- The Mercury: mercuryedletter@themercury.com.au
- The Examiner: mail@examiner.com.au
- The Advocate: news@theadvocate.com.au
- Your local papers such as Meander Valley Gazette, Wynyard Pulse, Huon Valley News, New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News etc.
4. Talk to your family and friends
Talk to your family and friends about the future of your Council and the importance of local and transparent decision making and merits-based planning appeal rights for your local community.
5. Support PMAT & other information
Read more about PMAT’s key concerns, recommendations and background information on DAPs
Support PMAT’s community advocacy on DAPs and our work towards building a resilient, equitable and sustainable future for lutruwita/Tasmania by making a donation.
For more information contact: Sophie Underwood at sophie_underwood@hotmail.com
Related News & Media
PMAT Media Release: Potential extraordinary new Ministerial powers to rezone land across Tasmania
The Land Use Planning and Approvals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026 could give unprecedented new powers to the Minister for Planning. The Bill allows for the
Residents Unite in Push Against Amalgamation
Two well-attended PMAT community meetings in the Central Highlands municipality have resulted in the first plans to resist the State Government’s council amalgamation plans. Meetings
What’s the Best Future for Mac Point?
In the lead up to the 16 November 2022 Hobart Town Hall public meeting – ‘Mac Point’s Future’ – PMAT has released an image showing
Mercury Opinion Piece: Let’s imagine a planning system which benefits all the community
Let’s imagine a planning system which benefits all the community.
Support Us
Stay informed. Protect what matters.
Sign up to receive planning alerts, campaign updates and opportunities to have your say on decisions that shape lutruwita/Tasmania’s. Because an informed community is a powerful one.