I am very pleased that the Hodgman Liberal Government will table legislation this week fulfilling a key commitment to introduce a cost effective, efficient and accessible statutory scheme for the resolution of neighbourhood disputes relating to plants.
The experience of many Tasmanians is that existing laws are not adequate in resolving disputes about trees and hedges which impact on neighbouring properties, which is why I first raised the issue in the Legislative Council in 2012 and helped refer it to the Tasmania Law Reform Institute for its consideration.
The TLRI report handed down in January 2016 confirmed the current laws do not provide an adequate mechanism to resolve these disputes and recommended changes to address this.
TheNeighbourhood Disputes About Plants Bill 2017 outlines the rights and responsibilities of property owners in relation to planting and maintaining trees and vegetation, and in having reasonable access to sunlight and views which existed at the time they bought their property.
It will also provide Tasmanians with the option to have the Resource Management & Planning Appeals Tribunal adjudicate on disputes where the parties have been unable to resolve the matter themselves, despite reasonable attempts to do so.
The changes are mainly based on the recommendations from the TLRI, but we have also listened to public feedback and acted to ensure plants which cause severe damage to neighbouring properties are also covered by the Bill.
I’m delighted that the Hodgman Government has been able to progress this important law reform which was developed through close consultation with the community, and I look forward to its passage through both houses of Parliament.