The Property Council of Australia welcomes the Tasmanian Liberals' policy commitment of $42.15 million to redevelop the Hobart showgrounds which will support the delivery of 450 new homes.
Tasmanian Executive Director Rebecca Ellston said ensuring a secure pipeline of housing to meet the needs of a Tasmania's growing population needs to be a priority for all parties at the upcoming state election campaign.
"The only way to truly address the housing shortage is to add supply and a short-term fix will not suffice," Ms Ellston said.
"The Property Council wants to see bold and well thought out plans to address the raft of causes at the root of the shortage, such as/ including (insert solutions)."
After consecutive years of advocacy, the Property Council is encourage by indications that the development of the Glenorchy to Hobart transit corridor will also be a priority of the Gutwein Government if re-elected. The Property Council sees this project as vital infrastructure requirement bi-partisan support. The transit corridor would increasing amenity for people living along the length of the corridor through improved access to services, employment and education opportunities.
To further support activation the Property Council is asking all parties to:
- Allocate additional funds to establish the required public transport infrastructure quickly, providing immediate support for increased medium density housing in the northern suburbs;
- Support further land use change to encourage urban renewal and development along the length of the corridor, such as rezoning Light Industrial sites to Inner Residential in the Glenorchy central area; and
- Remove existing barriers to development, such as planning restrictions in relation to height and other matters, along the length of the corridor in order to provide further incentives for medium density housing investment.
Additional measures to incentivise development, such as funding of contamination assessments, should also be considered. While improved urban design in the street and park networks within the corridor must be encouraged.
