Strategic Planning

Aerial image of the city of launceston

Strategic planning seeks to balance the built and natural environment, community needs, cultural significance and economic sustainability to create better places and public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

What is strategic planning? 

Strategic planning manages growth, supports business development and ensures a sustainable future. It ensures the city: 

  • plans for future growth in a way which creates vibrant places for people 
  • maintains its environmental, heritage and cultural values
  • identifies issues and can respond to community aspirations and needs 
  • articulates its preferred future direction and identifies urban renewal precincts
  • identifies appropriate planning controls to protect and enhance particular areas 

Strategic planning is implemented through the Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Launceston which is the statutory tool to deliver strategic planning objectives.  

The community has an opportunity to participate and comment on our strategic planning projects. This is done both informally during the project plan and formally at the planning scheme amendment stage.  

Current Projects

St Leonards Structure Plan & Infrastructure Funding Framework

The City of Launceston successfully applied for funding from the Federal Government's $1.5 billion Housing Support Program.  

The St Leonards Structure Plan and Infrastructure Funding Framework will provide a plan for the sustainable development of the St Leonards - Waverley area over the next 30 years and beyond. It will identify new residential areas, an enhanced village core, new activity centre and improved infrastructure connectivity and services associated with a plan which will deliver 3500+ new homes. There is an identified need for additional housing in Launceston, and St Leonards is identified as a growth area within the northern region of Tasmania.

The Structure Plan will outline a series of specific projects aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of current and future residents, through the sustainable and best practice planning and development of the local area.

Project Brief(PDF, 3MB)

 
State, Regional & Local Context

Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993

In Tasmania, the key Act for planning processes is the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. It sets out the various requirements and timeframes that apply, for example, for making an application for a planning permit or requesting an amendment to a planning scheme.  

The Act is available here: Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

Northern Tasmanian Regional Land Use Strategy

The Northern Tasmanian Regional Land Use Strategy (NRLUS) provides a framework for the sustainable use and development of land within the region. 

The NRLUS is a strategic regional plan for the eight council areas in the north and north-east of Tasmania. It has a 20-year time horizon to 2032 for integrated infrastructure, land use development and transport planning, and is underpinned by economic development, social and environmental strategies.  

Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Launceston

The Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Launceston sets out the requirements for use or development of land in accordance with the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 which apply to the Launceston local government area.

More information is available here - Tasmanian Planning Scheme - Launceston.   

 
Our Strategies

Launceston Residential Strategy

The aim of the Residential Strategy is to create choice, diversity and desirability to sustainably maximise Launceston's housing market.  

Find out more about the strategy here: Launceston Residential Strategy 

Launceston Industrial Strategy

The intent of the Industrial Strategy is to ensure Launceston has a co-ordinated supply of industrial land providing a choice of location to service the Launceston regional centre and to establish Launceston as the industrial centre of choice for new and emerging high technology and research and development industries.  

Find out more about the strategy here: Launceston Industrial Strategy 

 
Planning Scheme Amendments

Sometimes the planning scheme may need to be changed to reflect new circumstances or achieve new planning objectives. Changes are known as planning scheme amendments.  

To change the planning scheme, the proposed amendment must have a strategic basis that is consistent with the intent of the planning scheme, the objectives of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 and any State Policies. Planning scheme amendments are initiated by Council but the decision is ultimately made by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.  

If you have a specific development in mind, which is not allowed under the planning scheme, it is possible to combine a planning permit application with the planning scheme amendment. This is known as a Section 40T Application under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. 

View our current planning scheme amendments: Advertised Development Applications  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who can ask for a planning scheme amendment?

Anyone can ask Council to prepare a planning scheme amendment. Many people engage a planning consultant to prepare the required documentation and to represent them throughout the process.  

If you are not the owner of the land to which a proposed amendment applies, the request must be signed by the owners or accompanied by the written permission of the owners.

The form is available here - Tasmanian Planning Commission - Owners' Consent Form.  

How much does it cost?

You can view our Fees & Charges page here.

What information do I need to provide?

  • Details on why the amendment is being sought. What are the strategic grounds for seeking this change.
  • A current copy of the Certificate of Title for the land. 
  • A description of the capability of the land for future development (i.e. slope, drainage, vegetation etc) 
  • An evaluation of any environmental hazards (i.e. bushfire, flooding, contamination, slope etc.) 
  • A description of the availability and capacity of infrastructure (i.e. roads, sewer, water, public transport, community facilities, etc.) 
  • An assessment of any features of significance on the land (i.e. heritage, environmental, native vegetation communities etc.) 
  • A description of the existing use of the land and the surrounding land uses. 
  • A description of the existing zoning of the land and the surrounding area. 
  • An assessment of the proposal against the relevant State Policies and objectives of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. 
  • Assessment of any social, economic or environmental issues, zone boundary conflicts or implications, employment opportunities etc. 
  • Implications for potential impacts on adjoining land or the surrounding area. 

What is the planning scheme amendment process?

Phase 1 

  • Request for a planning scheme amendment received.  
  • Council planner may request further information from the applicant.
  • Council planner prepares a report for Council to decide whether to initiate the amendment or not (Council meeting). 

Phase 2 

  • If initiated, public exhibition of draft amendment for 28 days. The community may make written representations in support or opposition during this time.  
  • Council planner considers any representations which are received and prepares a report to Council evaluating the representations and makes a recommendation about whether the amendment should be forwarded to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for approval.
  • If recommended for approval by Council at their meeting, the council planner provides amendment documentation to the Tasmanian Planning Commission.  

Phase 3 

  • Tasmanian Planning Commission considers planning scheme amendment. 
  • Tasmanian Planning Commission may hold hearings. 
  • Tasmanian Planning Commission decides whether to approve, substantially modify or refuse planning scheme amendment. 
  • Tasmanian Planning Commission decision. 

Additional information and resources

 
Contact us 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about strategic planning: