7 months ago

Land use impacts everything and everyone. Cities grow to an order without design (that's a book), but zoning in the planning system is a big barrier to a lot of Tasmania's ideals and changing would set us apart from most other states:

> sustainability (denser cities are better for the climate, and can pay for themselves with more quality infrastructure spread over less area, which prevents sprawl and preserves more natural and agricultural uses. These infrastructure improvements can also improve impressions of progress and make big liveability improvements and investments possible, such as trees and sustainable transport options)

> choice and democracy (more housing choices such as the 'missing middle' and people would be allowed by-right to do this with their own land, rather than determined by a lesser good, so long as they meet high-quality building standards. This raises land values and their potential while simultaneously improving affordability and availability of housing so more people can stay where they want to live: more is better)

> economy (more jobs, especially in construction, and agglomeration effects as productivity and activity is much higher in denser parts of cities, producing more than for example suburbs cost to supply. This also enables much greater social mobility, as lower incomes can move into higher-earning positions, while higher-incomes keep improving as well)

This is probably beyond scope, but it would be a step-change ultimately necessary for Tasmania's future and potential leadership role.