The Minister for Planning must categorically rule out using enabling legislation to facilitate the Stony Rise development in Devonport.
Using special enabling legislation to help developers get their way is a reckless idea. We have planning rules and a planning tribunal for a reason – to make sure there’s a proper process that delivers the best outcomes for the community. That process must not be cast aside by politicians.
If the Minister agrees to special legislation to give this developer what they want he will set a terrible precedent. The queue of future developers lining up to get special consideration will no doubt be long.
In recent times Minister Ellis has talked a lot about “taking the politics out of planning.” Well, allowing developers to avoid proper process by going straight to politicians will have the completely opposite effect.
If Felix Ellis respected proper process, it would be a no-brainer for him to reject this idea immediately. Unfortunately, we think that’s pretty unlikely given we hear the Minister has already been encouraging the Stony Rise developer to go down this path.
The Liberals’ out and out attack on Tasmania’s planning laws has seen them introduce major projects legislation, put the stadium into a flawed assessment process, and move towards Development Assessment Panels. But if they get on board with writing special legislation for developers, that will be a new low.
