Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting our state's economic recovery from COVID-19 and I am pleased that the Building and Construction (Regulatory Reform Amendments) Bill (No. 2) 2020 passed the Upper House unamended yesterday.
This is the second tranche of the Tasmanian Government's red tape reforms, which are designed to assist industry to get on with building job-creating houses and infrastructure in Tasmania.
This legislation will ensure clear, timely and efficient assessment processes that can deliver private and public sector infrastructure and development by streamlining the existing land use planning pathway.
It also provides clear legislated timeframes for local government to sign off on development permit conditions, seal final plans and prescribes strict timeframes for state regulatory bodies, such as the Land Titles Office, EPA and Heritage Council.
These reforms enjoy widespread industry support with HIA's Executive Director, Stuart Collins saying "These are positive changes that necessitate a decision being made within a defined timeframe. Without a decision builders, developers and their clients are left in limbo often for prolonged periods, causing significant delay and holding costs,".
His comments have been echoed by Master Builders Tasmania Executive Director, Matthew Pollock who said "These reforms come at the perfect time to help industry meet the surging demand brought forward by the successful HomeBuilder grant." He continued on to say "We congratulate the government and particularly Minister Ferguson for delivering these difficult and long overdue reforms."
Unnecessary red tape and over regulation can cause difficulties and significantly increase costs for Tasmanian small businesses, and we are committed to removing these barriers and growing our economy and jobs as we head into post COVID recovery.
Investment and job creation is more important than ever and our Government is getting on with the job.
