Revamp to Tasmanian planning approvals process could result in 'wild west on steroids', mayors warn

A group of Tasmanian mayors have lashed out at a proposal which would allow for some development applications to bypass council assessment in favour of an independent panel appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission. The state government says the process will "take the politics out of planning" and has backed in the draft legislation as sensible planning reform. The legislation still needs to go through state parliament, with the draft bill expected to be tabled in the coming weeks.