The Tasmanian Planning Scheme maps as per the TPC decision are now available for public viewing on our GIS portal: TPS | Huon Valley (discovercommunities.com.au)
Please note that these maps are for reference purposes only. The Tasmanian Planning Commission will review them in the coming weeks to ensure the zones align with their directions.
Huon Valley Council has been given the direction from the Tasmanian Planning Commission that the Tasmanian Planning Scheme (Huon Valley Local Provision Schedule and State Planning Provisions) will take effect from Saturday 20 July 2024.
A copy of this decision can be found on the Tasmanian Planning Commission website.
What this means for planning applications
If you already have a valid planning application under assessment at Council, there will be no change to your assessment process. Your valid application will still be assessed under the Interim Planning Scheme (IPS) which is the scheme that was in place when you submitted your application.
If you have lodged an application that it is not yet ‘valid’ – then the scheme (IPS or TPS) that is in effect once the application becomes valid will apply.
Tasmanian Planning Scheme
As of 20 July 2024, Huon Valley Council will have adopted the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, available here: Tasmanian Planning Scheme (TPS)
The planning scheme is made up of zones, codes, overlays, use classes, exemptions and site-specific rules which are used to determine if a planning permit is required and which assessments are required.
Your property:
- will be zoned, with a use table and zone specific use and development standards
- will usually have one or more overlays showing where values or hazards apply, such as bushfire, and
- may have site-specific rules such as specific area plans, local area objectives or site-specific qualifications.
For more information: Tasmanian Planning Scheme FAQs and Fact Sheets.
Types of Permits
The are five categories of planning applications:
- Exempt: Part 4 of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme lists exemptions under which no planning approval is necessary. You may still require other approvals such as building or plumbing. We encourage you to provide Council with a letter or email outlining your exempt activity for our records.
- NPR (No Planning Permit Required): If a use is listed in the zone use table as No Permit Required, and does not rely any performance criteria, a formal permit from Council is not required. Instead of a permit, a no permit required certificate is issued. To apply for a certificate, please complete the normal planning application form and provide the necessary documents.
- Permitted (no public notification): A Permitted use or development means that an application must be lodged with Council for a Planning Permit. For permitted applications, a permit must be issued and there is no public exhibition. It may also apply conditions if an application is approved. The statutory timeframe for permitted applications is 28 days.
- Discretionary (public notification required): If a use is listed in the zone use table as discretionary and/or relies on performance criteria, a discretionary permit is required. A discretionary application requires a 14 day public notification period during which a person may make a representation to Council in support or opposition of your proposal. Discretionary applications may be approved or refused based on compliance with the applicable planning scheme standards. The statutory timeframe for discretionary applications is 42 days.
- Prohibited (Council must refuse the application): A prohibited proposal means that Council cannot grant approval as the particular use or development is listed as Prohibited within the respective zone.
Use and Development
All use must be classified within one of the ‘use class’ defined in the planning scheme.
Use refers to the activity or activities undertaken on land such as residential or general retail or hire.
A table within each zone will categorise the ‘use’ as either No Permit Required (NPR), Permitted, Discretionary or Prohibited.
Development refers to physical works to land such as building, subdividing, earthworks or land clearing.
Development Standards in the Planning Scheme
Each standard in the planning scheme consists of
- an objective
- acceptable solutions, and
- performance criteria.
The standard can be met by either complying with an acceptable solution or satisfying the performance criteria, which are equally valid ways to comply with the standard. However, whilst the acceptable solution if met is unequivocal, a performance criterion is ‘discretionary’ and requires judgement and interpretation as to whether it satisfies the standard or not.
The following examples illustrates the difference between a measurable acceptable solution and an outcome-focused performance criterion.
If a use or development relies on one, or more, performance criteria the application will be discretionary, even if the use is permitted or no permit required in the zone use table.
If a use or development that relies on performance criteria does not satisfy one or more of the performance criteria, the application must be refused.
The planning scheme can be difficult to interpret and apply. We hope the information on this website assists you in understanding and working with the planning system. If you have queries or concerns, please contact Council on (03) 6264 0300.