Planning

image of a structure frame for a building

Pre-lodgement discussions

By talking to us early in the planning process, we can assist you with the project design and provide important information up front. If you would like to speak with a Town Planner, you can either:

Planning applications can be lodged, via email to planning.queries@launceston.tas.gov.au, via post or in person. 

Planning

Planning controls the use and development of land. 

Having received agreement from the Minister for Planning under section 35L(1) of the Act, the Tasmanian Planning Commission gives notice that the Launceston Local Provisions Schedule (LPS) is approved under section 35M(1)(a) of the Act, and has come into effect on 14th September 2022. Any application lodged from this date will be subject to the State Planning Provisions and the Launceston LPS.

Planning Scheme maps can be accessed on the Tasmanian Planning Commission website. You can conduct your own planning enquiry at PlanBuild Tasmania here for a particular use or development on any property which will provide you with zone and code standards which may apply.

Please note: Some codes in the   Tasmanian Planning Scheme are not identified by maps but may still be relevant to a use or development e.g. Parking and Sustainable Transport Code, Natural Assets Code, Attenuation Code, Potentially Contaminated Land Code, etc.

What you can do with your land

Every property has a zone and unique use and development controls. 

Each zone has a use table and use/development standards that must be considered to determine the particular status of an application. Please see The State Planning Provisions, section 6.0 for more detail. All use and development of land must be classified within a defined "use class" in the Planning Scheme. Depending on the zone, different uses are either allowable or prohibited. There are four categories that a 'use' can fall into in each zone - No Permit Required, Permitted, Discretionary or Prohibited. 

Where development is proposed, an applicable acceptable solution must be met to maintain the status of the use.  If the acceptable solution is not met, the development must meet the performance criteria so as not to be prohibited - for example, a Permitted use may become Discretionary. An acceptable solution is measurable and quantitative whereas the performance criteria.

To find out how your land is zoned visit the Tasmanian Planning Commission website or My Planning Enquiry page at PlanBuild Tasmania here.

The difference between planning and building

Planning is the process of making decisions to guide future action.

The planning profession is concerned with shaping cities, towns and regions by managing development, infrastructure and services for the community.

Planning deals with the use of land, the type of development proposed, in what location and the potential impacts.

Building (including plumbing, environmental health requirements and engineering standards) controls how the development will be constructed ensuring that it meets the relevant building legislation, codes and regulations.

Strategies

To read more about the Launceston Residential and Industrial strategies, visit Strategies and Reports. The City of Launceston Heritage Study can be found online here.