Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy - Urban Growth Boundary proposed update

What is this about?

This is an amendment to the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy (STRLUS). The amendment provides more land for residential development.

Who is involved?

As required under section 5A of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA), the Minister sought comment on the proposed changes from:

• relevant State Agencies and Authorities
• the Tasmanian Planning Commission
• all Southern region councils, and
• the general public.

Following consultation, all comments were reviewed and an updated STRLUS prepared for the Minister to consider for declaration.

What is not included?

This amendment is only about the UGB within the STRLUS. Later changes to the STRLUS UGB may be required to accommodate other land uses, such as industrial. Further information about the STRLUS, including the comprehensive review currently underway, is available within the Regional Land Use Strategies Review.

How long will it take?

The 6 week consultation period closed at 5pm, Friday 14 March 2025.

Background

Regional Land Use Strategies

In 2011, a regional land use strategy (RLUS) was declared for each of Tasmania’s three regions - Southern, Northern and Cradle Coast (north west ), under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA).

Each RLUS sets out medium to long-term strategic land-use planning directions for their respective region and helps guide and inform local planning within that region (e.g., it plays a crucial role in the preparation of draft Local Provision Schedules, structure plans and amendments for the rezoning of land). The RLUSs are an important link between State and local planning and must be regularly reviewed.

STRLUS Urban Growth Boundary

The Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy (STRLUS) 2010 – 2035  (PDF 17.7 MB) includes an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) for greater Hobart, which sets the outer limits of urban land use. It includes land zoned for a range of uses, including industrial, commercial, civic, open space, recreational, urban and suburban residential development.

The STRLUS UGB aims to identify places where residential growth should happen and influence how that growth happens (e.g., where higher density housing should or should not occur). In doing this, the UGB also considers the State and local government’s ability to provide adequate infrastructure (e.g. roads, water) and services (e.g. schools, shops, public transport) to support that growth.

Once a RLUS has identified a place for residential growth, local government or developers can use this information to inform proposals for rezoning land so that residential growth can be delivered on the ground.

Urban Growth Boundary Update

The STRLUS UGB aims to direct growth to the most appropriate locations.

The Tasmanian Government identified potential changes to the boundary to accommodate land identified through the STRLUS comprehensive review currently underway, and potential additional growth opportunities.

It is important to note that correcting the boundary will not change the zoning of the affected land. Any changes to the zoning will be initiated by the local councils in accordance with LUPAA.

Lifecycle

The stages of the amendment process are explained in more detail below.