The
Liberal Government has failed to deliver important planning reform that was
promised two elections ago with Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson now making the
situation even more difficult for development proposals.
Late
last week it was revealed that Mr Ferguson had vetoed a proposed change to
urban growth boundaries in Clarence at Richardson’s Road.
This
will block the construction of much-need new housing while Tasmania remains in
the grip of a worsening housing crisis.
Mr
Ferguson made his shock move despite a year of public consultation by the
Clarence City Council and this is yet another example of this government’s
failure on planning reform.
Former
Premier Peter Gutwein promised much-needed planning reform would be complete by
2017, but five years later there is still no sign of a promised Statewide
Planning Scheme.
That
means development is being held back, red tape is increasing and Tasmania’s
planning scheme is becoming more and more complex.
The
Liberals promised faster, simpler and cheaper planning but, as to be expected,
under the Rockliff-Ferguson Government, failed reform is holding back housing
development.
Mr Ferguson, himself a failed former Housing Minister, is doing nothing to help solve the housing crisis and is making matters worse by holding back urgent development.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Planning and Local Government
