Vital Planning Reform Update Welcomed

The Housing Industry Association today accepted the response from the acting Minister for Planning and Workplace Relations, Graeme Sturges saying that the progress to date is positive and that regional planning timelines for 2009-10 are reasonable.

With these timelines in mind it is a key imperative that the Tasmanian Government commits to provide safe passage for the implementation of these reforms with ongoing funding commitments in next years election Budget.

HIA Regional Executive Director, Stuart Clues, said that “it is clear that the current planning system is archaic and inefficient and progressing these reforms through to operation is a must do situation.

“HIA, the peak body representing residential construction, says the planning system is in disarray and is preventing the $1.1 billion housing industry from making its full contribution to Tasmania ’s economic future.

“There are 39 planning schemes being administered by 29 councils, that’s one planning scheme for every 13,000 persons,” he said.

“The update from the acting Minister today gives our members great confidence that different requirements for things like building setbacks from the edge of the block, height, and proximity to o the r buildings will be over come in the near future.

“A further update on the future implementation of a standard Residential Code schedule for the State is also vital to complete the regional reform agenda.

“With Councils now talking shop with each other on regional resource sharing there is political goodwill to bring Tasmania into the 21^st century and with the commitments made by the State Government today, HIA looks forward to seeing an affirmation commitment to complete, implement and maintain these reforms in the election Budget.

“Having these reforms come into operation over the next 12-18 months to improve efficiencies and to create sustainability is all the more vital with the uncertainty that is surrounding consumer confidence in the short term.

“Freeing the residential construction industry to do its job will not only benefit new home owners, but will lead to a rise in housing affordability, stronger economic growth and a more prosperous future for all Tasmanians,” said Mr Clues.