In any area where there is resource development, the challenge of balancing environmental concerns with the inevitable changes that development comes with often evokes heated debates and divisions amongst different stakeholders. In Tasmania, such resource development issues arose in the past namely; a lack of transparency in the development approval process as well as public and government frustration over the uncertainty of outcomes. This subsequently led to a review of environment and planning laws, and the consequent development of an integrated resource management and planning system, RMPS, in 1994(Davies 2006).
The Resource Management and Planning System aims to achieve sustainable outcomes from the use and development of the State's natural and physical resources (Resource Planning and Development Commission 2003 p.6). The RMPS is a collection of acts regulating planning and development in Tasmania (Hobart City Council n.d) and are outlined below:
?The Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA) - regulates land use and development through council planning schemes and planning permits.
?The Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA) manages and regulates environmental issues and pollution and defines what level of activity council regulates (Level 1 activities) and what level the state regulates (Level 2 and 3 activities). Any activities that have the potential to cause environmental harm must be considered under EMPCA.
?The State Policies and Projects Act 1993 - defines Tasmania's State of the Environment Reporting requirements, details how state sustainable development policies must be made and enforced and allows for major projects (Projects of State Significance) to be approved and regulated. Once a state policy is enacted under this legislation, all existing and new planning schemes must become consistent with that policy (Section 13).
?The Historic Cultural Heritage Act 1995 - aims to promote the protection and conservation of places having historic cultural heritage significance. It established the Tasmanian Heritage Council and the Tasmanian Heritage Register. ,www.cheapbeatsbydrdreheadset.com?The Major Infrastructure Development Approvals Act 1999 - makes special provision for the approval of major linear infrastructure such as roads, railways, pipelines, power lines and communication cables.
?The Resource Planning and Development Commission Act 1997 (RPDC) - established the RPDC, which oversees the approval process for planning schemes and scheme amendments, and for projects deemed to be Projects of State Significance.
?The Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal Act 1993 (RMPAT) - established the Tribunal, which hears appeals against decisions made under LUPAA or EMPCA and various other acts. The objectives of the RMPS (State of the Environment Tasmania 2006 p.1) are:
a)To promote the sustainable development of natural and physical resources and the maintenance of ecological processes and genetic diversity
b)To provide for the fair, orderly and sustainable use and development of air, land and water
c)To encourage public involvement in resource management and planning
d)To facilitate economic development in accordance with the objectives set out in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c)
e)To promote the sharing of responsibility for resource management between the different spheres of government, the community and industry in the State. When applying the RMPS, there are six main principles that act as guidelines namely:
?Inter-generational equity: Decisions regarding resource use should be made whilst taking into account the needs of future generations.
?Conservation of biodiversity: This requirement to maintain species and genetic diversity;
?Precautionary approach: Observing the potential impact upon the environment, and making cautious decisions based upon that;
?Social equity: The private use or development of resources must consider the wider social costs;
?Efficiency: Efficient use of resources;
?Community participation: The community should be involved in establishing the parameters for the use and development of resources. Activities undertaken in Tasmania are categorized depending on their potential to cause environmental harm. The SoE Tasmania (2006) explains that an activity is either dealt with by the planning authority as a Level 1 activity or, if the potential for environmental harm is greater, it is referred to the Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control as a Level 2 activity. As the range and intensity of the issues that need to be addressed increases, the projects rise in ranking eventually attaining Level 3 status (Project of State significance). The assessment of projects at Level 3 typically includes a full consideration of economic and social impacts.
Related articles:
没有评论:
发表评论