Risk-based land use planning

A framework for reducing risk from natural hazards

Natural hazards such as floods, landslides and bushfires can impact Tasmanian communities. The Tasmanian Government has a framework for the mitigation of risks from natural hazards through land use planning and building controls. The framework comprises:

• A set of principles that describe the role of governments in managing natural hazards.
• A guide that outlines the method used to mitigate the risks presented by natural hazards.
• Hazard maps and reports that provide an indication of the risks to Tasmanian communities. The reports describe the methodology for defining hazard bands and proposed planning and building controls for managing development within those hazard bands.

Find out more about natural hazards in land use planning at the State Planning Office website. More information about building in hazardous areas is at the Consumer, Building and Occupational Services website.

Principes for governments

The following principles define the role of governments in intervening in the use of land:

1. Private risks associated with natural hazards are the responsibility of individuals and business.
2. Governments should encourage public and private risks to be factored into investment decisions.
3. Governments can support individuals to understand and manage private risks through the collection of evidence, provision of information, and facilitation of collective action.
4. Governments should ensure that private investment minimises unacceptable public risk.
5. Governments should avoid investment, regulation, zoning, or policy that gives rise to unacceptable public or private risks.
6. Government should have regard to, and support, individuals or business to consider how relevant risks may change into the future, including through climate change.

Guide to reducing risk

The guide outlines a hazard treatment approach to natural hazards. This means land use planning and building controls can be used as a tool to mitigate risk.

Hazard mapping and reporting

Hazard mapping and reporting is ongoing across the Tasmanian Government. Agencies work with stakeholders such as subject matter experts, councils and industry representatives to identify risk bands (acceptable, low, medium and high) and planning and building controls.

Bushfire

Find details at the Tasmania Fire Service website.

Flood

Find details at the State Emergency Service website.

Landslide

The Landslide Planning Report (PDF 1.8MB) was developed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and further details are at the Mineral Resources Tasmania website.

Coastal inundation and erosion

Tasmania’s coastal zone is particularly important to the Tasmanian community and the economy. No place in Tasmania is more than 115km from the sea, with most of Tasmania’s population centres and major industries located on or near the coast.

The below coastal hazards maps and reports have been prepared as a response to the risks presented by coastal inundation and erosion. Information about the Tasmanian Coastal Adaptation Pathways Project is at the Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania website.

Contact

RRT@dpac.tas.gov.au