{
  "id": 5894595,
  "title": "Like 'the Spirits': Hobart council slams new 'unfit for purpose' planning portal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/like-the-spirits-hobart-council-slams-new-unfit-for-purpose-planning",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T03:04:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-06/hobart-city-council-slams-planbuild-planning-portal/107119914"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new online planning portal, called PlanBuild, was intended to streamline development approvals for Tasmania's 29 councils, but its trial in Hobart City Council has proven a costly failure. The system, which was meant to replace time-consuming paper-based applications, has been labeled \"unfit for purpose\" by the council, causing frustration among staff, residents and industry. Hobart councillor Louise Elliott introduced a motion calling for an indefinite waiver of the $83,000 annual fee until the system is fixed, supported by the council administration and members of the Housing Industry Association. The project, conceived over a decade ago under former Premier Peter Gutwein, has witnessed a $6.5 million cost increase and delays, leading to increased costs for builders and potential extra charges for architects, designers, and plumbers. Despite a planned remediation project, the system is still in a clunky state, causing additional expenses and frustrations for all parties involved.",
  "summary": "The rollout of a new planning portal meant to speed up development approvals has turned into a Tasmanian government debacle that has been likened to the Spirit of Tasmania fiasco.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hobart council calls new planning portal \"unfit for purpose\"",
    "$83,000 annual fee waived indefinitely for system fixes",
    "Project cost increased by $6.5 million with ongoing delays"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The failed planning portal means increased costs for builders, architects, designers, and plumbers, and has sparked frustration among Hobart council staff, residents, and industry.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}