Tasmania

TASMANIAN Planning and Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein last week said the government has begun formal discussions with councils about voluntary amalgamations, with all 29 mayors invited to attend and discuss the matter at regional meetings early next year.

"We know from informal discussions that there is an appetite for structural reform in Local Government to deliver improved services to communities," Mr Gutwein said in a statement.

TASMANIAN Planning and Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein last week said the State Government is delivering on its promise to cut red and green tape, with the next stage of the review of Tasmania's Building Regulatory Framework now under way.

Following the release of an Issues Paper in July that outlined the challenges and obstacles holding back the state's building industry, the Director of Building Control has now released a Position Paper seeking feedback on 59 recommendations and options to cut red and green tape.

THE Tasmanian Government's first tranche of legislation that aims to make the state's planning system 'fairer, faster, cheaper and simpler' was last week passed by the Legislative Council, after having been passed by the House of Assembly earlier in the month.

In a statement, Planning Minister Peter Gutwein said the Land Use Planning and Approvals Amendment (Streamlining of Process) Bill 2014 is a key part of the government's long-term plan for Tasmania to drive investment and create jobs.

THE Tasmanian Government last week announced the appointment of the state's first-ever Coordinator General, who will help to streamline the business environment, promote competitiveness and assist with the assessment and approval of investment opportunities.

In a statement, Minister for State Growth Matthew Groom said he was very pleased to announce the appointment of John Perry to the position of Coordinator General, who will commence the Launceston-based role in January 2015.

THE Tasmanian and Federal governments have now created a 'one-stop shop' for environmental assessments in Tasmania, with Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Tasmanian Environment Minister Matthew Groom signing a new assessment bilateral agreement.

The new agreement creates a single environmental assessment process that allows the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment to rely on specified environmental impact assessment processes of Tasmania in assessing certain actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

TASMANIAN Planning Minister Peter Gutwein last week outlined details of proposed changes to the state's planning system, saying that the government believes the proposed reforms will create jobs and help unlock the state's economic potential.

"As the first major step I will be introducing legislation later this year that will draw a line under the previous Labor-Green Government's planning process and enable the government to bring this process to a close," Mr Gutwein said.

DEVONPORT City Council last week unanimously endorsed the master plan for the $250 million LIVING CITY project, which aims to transform the city through the creation of new retail, business/service and waterfront precincts.

The councillors voted in support of the master plan on the condition that there is further investigation into incorporating the Devonport Regional Gallery into the cultural waterfront precinct, after strong support for the move was received during the community consultation period.

TASMANIA'S Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Matthew Groom, last week said there has been 'significant interest' from investors and tourism operators in an Expressions of Interest process for new tourism infrastructure in the state's National Parks and World Heritage Area.

Mr Groom said that as the State Government takes action towards transforming Tasmania into the 'environment tourism capital of the world', it was revealed in an Estimates hearing last Tuesday that 87 enquiries and requests for additional information have been received so far.

IN its 2014-15 Budget released last week, the Tasmanian Government has allocated $3.2 million over four years to establish Infrastructure Tasmania (ITas), which will provide expert advice on infrastructure priorities and improve the overall coordination, planning and delivery of major infrastructure.

Premier Will Hodgman congratulated Treasurer Peter Gutwein on delivering the Liberal Government's first State Budget since gaining power in March this year and described it as a budget that "delivers on our promises, fixes the budget mess and lays the foundations for the future."

TASMANIAN State Growth Minister Matthew Groom last week described the release of the Shared Vision for the Macquarie Point development project as a major milestone in the progression of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hobart.

In a statement, Mr Groom said the Shared Vision is the result of substantial community and stakeholder consultation undertaken by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation. The Shared Vision aims to provide a reflection of the aspirations for the site and a guide as to what can be expected in the future.

THE Tasmanian and Federal Governments last week said they are now one step closer to creating a 'one-stop shop' for environmental assessments and approvals, following the release of a draft approval bilateral agreement for public comment.

The draft approval bilateral agreement provides for the accreditation of Tasmanian processes for approval of proposed actions that would otherwise be assessed by the Australian Government for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

DEVONPORT City Council last week released its LIVING CITY Master Plan, which aims to transform the city through the creation of new retail, business/service and waterfront precincts and is expected to generate $250 million in investment over a five to eight-year construction period.

The Master Plan provides a high-level view of the three proposed precincts – Business and Services, Retail and Waterfront - which are centred on highlighting Tasmania's North West region and its tourism, arts, food and services.