Mitigating Natural Hazards through Land Use Planning

In 2011 the Department of Premier and Cabinet established a project to develop a framework for the mitigation of risks from natural hazards through land use planning and building controls.

The framework will comprise:

1. Principles that describe the role of government in managing natural hazards through land use planning and building control;
2. A Guide that outlines the method used to mitigate the risk presented by natural hazards through the land use planning system;
3. Hazard Reports relating to specific hazards that describe:
   • The approach to defining hazard risk bands (acceptable, low, medium, high); and
   • The proposed planning and building controls within each of the hazard bands.

The framework was endorsed by Government in 2013, and is being implemented in parallel with the Tasmanian Planning Commission's development of State-wide Planning Directives for natural hazards.

Principles

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 in to the future, including through climate change.

Principles for the consideration of natural hazards in the planning system (PDF)

Guide

The Guide outlines how to manage the risk presented by natural hazards within the land use planning system. It proposes a 'hazard treatment approach' by which land use planning can be used as a tool to mitigate the risk presented by natural hazards.

Guide to considering natural hazard risks in land use planning and building control (PDF)

Hazard Reports

Hazard reports identifying risk bands and associated planning controls are developed following extensive discussions with subject matter experts, council planners, State Government stakeholders and appropriate industry representatives.

The Hazard Reports comprise:

• Maps of the hazard bands (acceptable, low, medium, high); and
• An associated report proposing planning and building controls for each of the hazard bands.