COVID-19 Emergency Legislation
The Government recently gave effect to the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 (the COVID-19 Act), which provides a number of important emergency measures to assist with the many disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including some that relate to Tasmania’s land use planning system.
What does the COVID-19 Act do?
The COVID-19 Act specifically provides for the issue of notices during the COVID-19 emergency period to provide a range of measures relating to the functions and powers of local councils and other entities involved in the planning system, including:
- extensions of statutory time periods, including those under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 and associated legislation;
- alternative ways to take physical action, such as through the delivery of electronic documents;
- alternative meeting arrangements for local councils and other entities;
- alternative arrangements for public exhibition of documents; and
- alternative arrangements for public hearings, such as those conducted by the Tasmanian Planning Commission and the Appeal Tribunal.
It also provides for temporary relief from certain planning requirements to assist with our response efforts to COVID-19, including:
- amendments to existing planning permits, such as permit conditions and restrictions to allow for the delivery of essential services;
- exemptions from planning scheme requirements in order to implement a requirement, direction or authorisation necessary during the emergency period.
Notices Issued
The latest information on notices issued under the COVID-19 Act that relate to the land planning system is available here:
More information on the COVID-19 Act is available in: