How to object to a development in Tasmania

Your representation rights in Tasmania

In Tasmania, a discretionary application is advertised by the planning authority for a statutory representation period (commonly 14 days) under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993. During that period, any person can make a representation. The planning authority must consider representations before it decides. Representations are weighed against the Tasmanian Planning Scheme — the applicable zone standards and the relevant codes.

How to object — step by step

1. 1
   Confirm the application is discretionary and advertised

   Only discretionary applications are advertised. Check the council's advertised-applications list for the application and the representation-period dates.

2. 2
   Read the proposal and plans

   Get the application documents and understand the proposal and its impact on you.

3. 3
   Frame your representation against the scheme

   Tie your concerns to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme — the zone standards and relevant codes. Be specific to your property.

4. 4
   Lodge your representation within the period

   Make your representation to the planning authority (council) before the representation period closes — commonly a 14-day window.

5. 5
   Know your appeal rights

   A representor can appeal the council's decision to TASCAT. If a permit is granted over your objection, that's your avenue for review.

What counts as a valid planning ground

• ✓ Overlooking / loss of privacy — windows, balconies or terraces that look into your living areas or private open space
• ✓ Overshadowing / loss of solar access — shadow cast over your north-facing windows or private open space, especially in winter
• ✓ Neighbourhood character — bulk, scale, height or design that's out of keeping with the established character of the street
• ✓ Building height and massing — a building taller or bulkier than the surrounding context
• ✓ Traffic and car parking — additional traffic, inadequate on-site parking, or on-street parking pressure
• ✓ Noise and amenity — noise, hours of operation, lighting, odour or other off-site amenity impacts
• ✓ Vegetation and tree removal — loss of significant trees or canopy
• ✓ Setbacks — insufficient distance to boundaries affecting privacy, light or character

What won't carry weight (and how to re-frame it)

• It will reduce my property value
  Devaluation isn't a planning consideration. Re-frame the underlying amenity or character impact.
• I object to the applicant
  Who the applicant is isn't relevant to the assessment.
• Construction noise and dust
  Short-term construction impacts are generally managed separately.
• Competition with my business
  Commercial competition is not a planning ground.

Objecting in Tasmania — FAQ