The city is governed by three planning schemes – the City of Hobart Planning Scheme, Sullivans Cove Planning Scheme and the Battery Point Planning Scheme. Assessment of application under these schemes is governed by the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.
Some of the issues include:
- Use: What is the current use of the property? A ‘house’ is an acceptable use in most zones. Many commercial uses, however, are not permitted in residential zones.
- Density: Density is determined by assessing floor area in relation to land area.
- Height: Depending on your location there will be a maximum height requirements applied to your proposal.
- Siting: Your proposal will be assessed in relation to both height and distance from boundaries.
- Access and Parking: Most proposals will have a requirement for parking and access, which relates to the use of the property.
- Heritage: If your property is heritage listed, is in a heritage area, is adjacent to or opposite a heritage listed property your proposal will be considered in relation to the impact on the heritage values of the listed property or area.
- Bushland Management: If your property is located in or adjacent to bushland area, a zone where bushland habitat is present, your proposal will be considered in relation to vegetation, fauna, water quality and bushfire issues.
- Signs: An application is required when a new sign is to be erected or when an existing sign type is replaced. If the face of the sign is changing and dimensions and other features remain unaltered. Council may not require a planning application. To clarify questions relating to signs, advice can be sought by phoning 62382715.
Early consultation with Council Offices will help to ensure that all factors are considered as part of the project design, and relevant issues are identified and considered at an early stage of the proposal.
Dependant on the type of work that is proposed, up to four(4) permits may be required. These are required to be obtained in the following order(if applicable):
- Planning Permit
- Works Permit from the Tasmanian Heritage Council
- Plumbing Permit
- Building Permit (prior to the issue of a building permit, an applicant will need to engage a building surveyor to prepare appropriate documentation, which must then be submitted to Council for administrative purposes)
In many circumstances a building and plumbing application will form part of your development application, however, separate regulations exist which define the work that will require a building and plumbing permit.
The best way to find out is to bring a sketch plan of your proposal into the Hobart Council Centre, 16 Elizabeth Street, and talk to the following people:
- Planning Information Officer - 62 382715
- Building Information Officer - 62 382166
- Plumbing and Drainage Officer - 62 382764
Heritage:
The Council employs a Cultural Heritage Officer whose role includes:
- Advice to Council and public regarding Hobart’s cultural heritage.
- Assistance in assessing planning applications with heritage implications.
- Promoting public awareness of the City’s cultural heritage.
- Undertaking research projects
