Policy

Key points

  • The Tasmanian Planning Policies (TPPs) have been made and come into effect on 1 July 2026.
  • After the State Policies, the TPPs are the highest level of land use planning policy.
  • They guide the regional land use strategies (RLUSs) and inform the State Planning Provisions (SPPs) and amendments to Local Provisions Schedules (LPS).

Under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, the TPPs may relate to:

  • the sustainable use, development, protection or conservation of land
  • environmental protection
  • the liveability, health and wellbeing of the community
  • any other matter that may be included in a planning scheme or a regional land use strategy.

The TPPs must further the objectives of the Act and be consistent with the State Policies.

Resource Management and Planning System with Tasmanian Planning Policies highlighted.
Tasmanian Planning Policies within the Resource Management and Planning System

The TPPs provide a common policy framework for the land use planning system, mainly by informing the regional land use strategies and the content and scope of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.

The TPPs do not apply to development applications other than through the major projects process.

The current reviews of the regional land use strategies give effect to the TPPs.

While the first LPS made does not have to be consistent with the TPPs, each subsequent LPS or amendment to an LPS needs to be consistent with the TPPs.

The SPPs will also be reviewed to be consistent with the TPPs.

The policy content is delivered through 7 TPPs that address broad land use planning topics, including:

  • Settlement
  • Environmental Values
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Sustainable Economic Development
  • Physical Infrastructure
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Planning Processes

Within each TPP are subheadings that relate to the TPP topic. Each of these subheadings is the title of a ‘policy’. All policies are structured to include the following parts:

  • Application – provides any specific guidance on how the policy is to be applied
  • Objective – sets out the aim of the policy
  • Strategy – sets out ways to achieve the policy objective

The TPPs also contain a section called 'General application and implementation’. This section describes the operational parts of the TPPs and provides directions on how they are to be implemented into the SPPs, LPSs and RLUSs.

For more information click on the following documents:

Tasmanian Planning Policies - June 2026 - Infosheet
The State Planning Office provides an overview of the TPPs and how they are to be implemented.
Tasmanian Planning Policies
The first set of common policies applying to Tasmania’s planning system that will shape the regional land use strategies and the Tasmanian Planning Scheme.

Commencement of the Tasmanian Planning Policies Information Sheet

The Tasmanian Planning Commission Infosheet provides initial guidance on the Commission's processes relating to the commencement of the TPPs.