Background
Hearings
Final Report
By letter dated 28 May 2008 and acting under section 15A(8) of the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 (the Act), the Premier, the Hon David Bartlett MP, directed the Commission to prepare a report on the revised draft State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2007 (the draft State Policy).
A Background Paper, Implementation Guide and Model Planning Scheme Provisions (Supporting Documents) were prepared by the Department of Justice to provide guidance on how the draft State Policy may be implemented. The documents do not form part of the draft State policy but, in accordance with the Premier's direction, the latter two are being assessed (outside the statutory process) concurrently with the draft State Policy. A fact sheet has been prepared describing the differences between statutory and non-statutory assessment processes.
The Commission advertised in the State newspapers that the draft State Policy was on public exhibition for 8 weeks. The Supporting Documents were also placed on public exhibition at the same time. Representations were invited on the draft State Policy and Supporting Documents until 1 September 2008.
Some representations referred to submissions made to the Tasmanian Government during the review of the State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land 2000 (2000 Policy). The Commission has obtained copies of these submissions and included them with the representations received. All representations can be viewed as PDF files.
To assist the assessment, the Commission requested and received copies of documents arising from the review of the 2000 Policy by the Department of Justice - background documents. The Commission also requested and obtained written advice from the Department of Premier and Cabinet on a series of questions raised at the Hobart hearing on 25 November 2008 and on further questions raised throughout the hearing process.
To consider representations on the draft State Policy, the Commission held hearings. At these hearings, those who made representations in relation to the draft State Policy were invited to present their submissions to the Commission.
The Commission also invited comment on the Supporting Documents at the hearings. Hearings were held in Hobart, Burnie, Deloraine and Launceston. Exhibits presented at each hearing are available for viewing.
The Commission's final report has been forwarded to the Premier after consideration of all representations and evidence presented at the hearings. The report can be viewed and downloaded as a PDF file.
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