The Tasmanian Municipal Standards (TMS) consist of three related documents that set standards for local government civil infrastructure and land development projects. The TMS, or components of it, are referenced by a planning permit or council policy as the development standards required for public infrastructure.
For questions about applying these documents to your project, please contact your council engineers in the first instance. Note that councils may make locally specific development requirements that vary with the Tasmanian Municipal Standards or specify the standards for submitted plans. Please refer to your council website and engineers for guidance.
Tasmanian Development Manual (TDM)
The Tasmanian Development Manual (TDM) has been developed with the aim of clarifying planning, engineering, building and plumbing approval processes, including referrals to third parties. Flowcharts are provided to assist with navigation through the approval processes and checklists help to inform the level of documentation required at each stage. Links to existing documentation provided by third parties including guidelines and procedures are also included to better inform all involved in the development process.
The manual is not intended to replace the need for expert guidance such as planning, designers or engineering specialists that are typically required to prepare documentation. It should, however, provide a solid understanding of the approvals process without assuming prior knowledge.
Feedback on the TDM and how it could be most usefully presented to users is encouraged and welcome. Please email feedback and suggestions to LGAT.
- Tasmanian Development Manual (TDM) November 2025
- Development Manual Appendix 1 - Planning Approval Flowchart
- Development Manual Appendix 2 - Subdivision Approval and Construction Flowcharts
The TDM contains bookmarks to help you navigate the document; you may have to turn these on in your chosen pdf reader. Flowchart appendices are provided as separate files to allow users to open both at the same time for a visual and written description of the processes.
TMS specifications and drawings
- Tasmanian Municipal Standard - Specifications (May 2020) with Addendum (June 2025)
Tasmanian Municipal Standard - Drawings (December 2020) [PDF 9.4MB]
Tasmanian Infrastructure Design Guidelines (replacing subdivision guidelines)
The Tasmanian Infrastructure Design Guidelines replace the Tasmanian Subdivision Guidelines 2013.
These guidelines provide information on the minimum standards required by participating Tasmanian councils to design and construct roads and utilities as per the relevant statutory requirements (including the Drains Act 1954 and Local Government Act Highways 1982).
This document also outlines the process to be followed during the construction of civil works, audit inspections, practical completion of works, defects liability period and final take-over of the roads and civil works.
These guidelines are for consultants, developers, construction contractors, and council professionals.
Tasmanian stormwater policy guidance and standards for development
The Tasmanian Stormwater Policy Guidance and Standards for Development assists councils in implementing their stormwater strategy and regulate stormwater impacts of development. It supports councils to consistently manage stormwater from development.
Other development standards, rules and requirements
Use these links to see the development requirements associated with infrastructure providers and authorities:
- Water and sewerage requirements – TasWater
- Electricity requirements – see TasNetworks Developer's Toolkit
- Telecommunications - see the Australian Government's Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) policy and requirements
Superseded versions
A superseded version of development standards documents can be found here:
- Tasmanian Infrastructure Design Guidelines - November 2025
- Subdivision Guidelines Oct 2013
- Tasmanian Municipal Standard – Drawings (May 2020)
- Tasmanian Standard Drawings (Nov 2013)
Contacts for questions and suggestions
Please contact your council for any questions regarding how these standards apply to your development and your council area.
To make suggestions or request changes to any standards, please write your suggestion, including any marked-up plans or supporting information, and email it to LGAT.