Amending the Hobart Local Provisions Schedule (LPS)

Changes are continually required to update the Hobart Local Provisions Schedule (LPS).

These changes ensure that Hobart's local planning provisions are fit for purpose to:

  • address challenges such as the housing crisis and the need for increased urban density and housing diversity
  • ensure urban environments are resilient to the latest climate change scenarios.

This guide provides a detailed explanation of the steps involved in amending the LPS. This aims to assist proponents, industry practitioners, the community and State Agencies.

This guide aims to:

  • ensure long term, strategic led, evidence-based land use planning is widely understood and achieved
  • outline how amendments are assessed against government legislation, strategic plans and council policies.

What is the Tasmanian Planning Scheme?

The Tasmanian Planning Scheme (TPS) regulates the use and development of land in accordance with the Land Use Planning and Approval Act 1993 (the Act).

The TPS comprises both the State Planning Provisions (SPP's) and the Local Provisions Schedule (LPS).

What are the State Planning Provisions?

The SPP's are uniform across the State and their content and structure can only be amended at the State level, not by a Council. Each municipality decides which particular SPP's they apply to their local government area . This depends on the distinctive characteristics that need protection or regulation.

They include, and are not limited to:

  • general planning provisions
  • land use zones
  • Code overlays.

Code overlays are used to protect local heritage and biodiversity values. They also regulate environmental constraints. For example, bushfire hazard, coastal erosion and inundation, biodiversity values, landslip, and contaminated land.

What is the Hobart LPS?

The Hobart LPS provides a local statutory framework that guides development and land use planning decisions through zoning and development controls.

The LPS reflects finer-grained, placed-based planning priorities at the local level.

In particular, the LPS comprises:

  • zone and overlay maps
  • local area objectives
  • code lists
  • particular purpose zones
  • specific area plans
  • site-specific qualifications.

How long does it take to amend the Hobart LPS?

Changes to the LPS are undertaken through a legislative process established in the Act.

As such, an application can take approximately 6 months to complete. This depends on the complexity of the issues and need for technical reports to be submitted as the basis for evidence based strategic planning.

Who determines if my application is approved?

The Tasmanian Planning Commission is an independent statutory authority established under the Tasmanian Planning Commission Act 1997. It is responsible for considering and approving draft scheme amendments and combined permits.

What needs to be submitted to amend the Hobart Local Provisions Schedule?

An application needs to include:

  • an analysis of the key environmental or site constraints of the relevant land
  • existing and proposed planning controls
  • a review of the strategic planning framework.

Depending on the issues relevant to your application, you may need to provide supporting technical reports. These are to demonstrate the strategic justification for changing particular land use controls.

Each application is assessed against:

  • the relevant criteria in the Act
  • the Southern Tasmanian Regional Land Use Strategy
  • the Statewide Tasmanian Planning Policies.

It is strongly recommended that you engage a Planning Consultant to prepare your application.

How do I lodge an amendment to the Hobart Local Provisions Schedule?

Prior to lodging your application, it is advised that you contact the Strategic Land Use Planning team at Council for a pre-lodgement meeting to discuss your proposal.

Please reach out via email at strategicplanning@hobartcity.com.au or call 03 6238 2711.

How much does it cost to amend the Hobart Local Provisions Schedule?

Please see 'Planning Scheme Amendments' in our fees and charges.

More information

A flowchart for the amendment approval process is available on the Tasmanian Planning Commission website.

You can find more information in the following links:

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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