ATTENTION BRUNY ISLAND RESIDENTS & LANDOWNERS.

Following feedback from our community, the Bruny Island Community Association is requesting an extension to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme Local Provision Schedule exhibition period for Kingborough Council (currently scheduled from 9 October 2024 – 9 December 2024) to Friday 28 February 2025. 

The scheduled 8-week period is severely insufficient for the average community member to navigate such a complex proposal. Bruny Island has an unprecedented degree of changes with not only the new zones which have been proposed liberally across the Island but also the addition of codes, overlays and the Bruny Island Specific Area Plan.

As Kingborough Council had no community consultation (including of the SAP) prior to the exhibition period, there was no opportunity for residents and landowners to understand what was likely to be proposed.

Huon Council secured an extension to their exhibition period due to the complexity of the process for their community, what Kingborough has presented is much harder to navigate without planning expertise. 

Many community members will require expert support to address these unprecedented changes. We are already hearing from community members that expert planning consultants are not taking on additional cases. Extending the time would support people in getting access to the required expertise. 

The Community Information Session, hosted by Kingborough Council on Tuesday 22 October 2024, had 5 planners in attendance inundated with enquiries and the many who attended and sought information walked out more confused than when they walked in. A second session is scheduled for 8 November, which is likely to have the same result.

We have launched this community e-petition which will be provided to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, Kingborough Council and the Minister for Planning on Friday 22 November when it closes.

An extension to Friday 28 February 2025 will allow the residents and landowners of Bruny Island to better understand the process, seek expertise, make quality representations and participate in the process. 

This extension will also allow for the very busy tourist season of Bruny Island, particularly from Christmas through to Australia Day, to pass without the pressure of a looming deadline. 

Our community concerns must be taken seriously and support must be given to the community of Bruny Island through this complex process to ensure that they have opportunity to live, work and grow on Bruny Island in a way that not only supports our beautiful environment but also supports our community to thrive.

Residents and Landowners, please sign this petition today to support an extension the Exhibition period for the Kingborough Council proposed Local Planning Scheme.