Planning organisations usually charge fees to assess applications. The power to charge fees comes from a variety of acts and regulations including the:
- Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993
- Land Use Planning and Approvals Regulations 2024
- Local Government Act 1993
- Environmental Management and Pollution Control (General) Regulations 2017
- Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999
- State Policies and Projects Act 1993
- State Policies and Projects Regulations 2024
- Fee Units Act 1997.
Fees are usually described as a fee unit. For example, in the Land Use Planning and Approvals Regulations 2024 the planning scheme amendment fee payable to the Tasmanian Planning Commission is 200 units.
Units are set in accordance with the Consumer Price Index and are regularly adjusted. The Department of Treasury and Finance is responsible for administering the fee unit system. Their website provides information on the yearly adjustments.
The Land Use Planning Approvals Regulations 2024 gives some of the planning fees that organisations must collect. These are fees for:
- Amending an interim planning scheme or Local Provisions Schedule, (r.10)
- Change of use for visitor accommodation, (r.11)
- Major projects assessments, (r.14-19)
Most of these fees are paid to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, except r.11 which is paid to the relevant council and r.14 which is paid to the State Planning Office.
The LUPAA regulations give the commission the possibility for an exemption or remit of a fee.
State Planning Office
The State Planning Office has the following fee for the consideration of a major project proposal for declaration:
- $11,460 (6,000 fee units)
This fee is payable by the proponent to the Department of State Growth within 30 days after the proposal is submitted to the Minister for consideration as a major project.
Tasmanian Planning Commission
The Tasmanian Planning Commission’s website provides details on its current fees.
Local government
Council fees for assessing planning applications are set by each council. Councils also apply fees for the assessment of amendments to interim planning schemes and Local Provisions Schedules. Each council’s website is the best source of information on current fees. You can find out contact details for all councils through the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
Other state agencies
Other state agencies, like the Environment Protection Authority Tasmania, carry out assessments for related parts of the Resource Management and Planning System. EPA Tasmania’s website provides details on their fees for the assessment of applications for the various Level 2 activities.
There may also be fees for approvals or authorisations that are separate to the land use planning system, including for:
- Building approvals and permits
- Licenses, leases and development in Parks and Reserves
- Forestry
- Marine farming
- Mining.
More information
Treasury’s Economic Policy and Reform unit
Tasmanian Planning Commission
