SPP amendment 05/2026 - Apartment Standards

What is this about?

The purpose of the draft amendment 05-2026 of the State Planning Provisions (SPPs) is to introduce new apartment development standards into the Tasmanian Planning Scheme (TPS). The changes are intended to encourage and support the development of multi-storey apartments in suitable locations.

To achieve this, the amendment is proposed to:

• Introduce a new Apartment Code that will apply to the Local Business, General Business, Central Business and Urban Mixed Use zones,
• Make changes to the provisions of the Local Business, General Business, Central Business and Urban Mixed Use zones to support apartment development,
• Amend the Parking and Sustainable Transport Code, and
• Make a range of other changes to the SPPs to ensure the new apartment standards operate effectively and achieve their intended outcomes.

This draft amendment will follow the process for an amendment of the SPPs under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPA Act).

The proposed amendment 05-2026 of the SPPs will apply in council areas where the Tasmanian Planning Scheme is in effect.

Who is involved?

The State Planning Office prepares the amendment for the Minister. Local councils and relevant State agencies and authorities, and the Tasmanian Planning Commission are consulted during preparation of the draft amendment. The Tasmanian Planning Commission assess the amendment, with public consultation, and provides a report to the Minister. After considering the report, the Minister makes the final decision.

Timeframe

It is expected that this will take approximately twelve months. More information on the process for preparation and assessment of draft SPPs amendments under the Act is available in the State Planning Office's simplified flow chart, or the Tasmanian Planning Commission provides a more detailed flowchart on their website.

Background

The SPPs are the statewide set of consistent planning rules in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme (TPS). The SPPs came into effect on 2 March 2017.

A comprehensive review of the SPPs was completed in 2023 as part of the 5-yearly statutory review required under the Act. The review identified a variety of potential amendments to the SPPs and more detailed reviews.

The Improving Residential Standards in Tasmania project was identified as a priority project from the SPPs Review. The resulting Recommendations Report outlines potential improvements to planning controls that apply to housing and residential development in the TPS.

This amendment forms part of the Tasmanian Government’s broader commitments to provide more housing options for Tasmanians, and its 100-days election commitment to release draft amendments for targeted consultation to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, making it easier to develop medium-density housing right across Tasmania.

The SPO prepared an early discussion paper about changes to the SPPs to make it easier to develop medium-density housing. The discussion paper was provided to targeted stakeholders for consultation from 6 March to 8 May 2026. Feedback from the early targeted consultation will inform preparation of draft amendments to the SPPs.

This amendment has been prepared in response to the Tasmanian Government’s further 100 days commitment to undertake targeted consultation on a new Apartment Code which will promote and facilitate multi-story apartments in appropriate locations. It is the first stage of a multi-stage project to make it easier to build medium density housing across the state.

Lifecycle

More information about the steps involved are in the drop-down boxes below.