Fee waiver a drop in the ocean but will help put food on the table for many struggling
City Mission has lodged plans for a $30 million precinct featuring 48 affordable housing units as Tasmania’s social housing waitlist surges to 5380 people. Now a council is doing its part.
Ahead of a $30 million social housing project, a northern council has waived tens of thousands of dollars in fees to get shovels in the ground quicker.
City Mission in the centre of Launceston will deliver dozens of affordable housing units with its Community Precinct Project, as the waitlist for social housing continues to grow.
The precinct will include 48 affordable housing units, a purpose-built health clinic and bring a hub of services together under one roof, and support more than 500 people each week.
The project has now lodged a development application to City of Launceston council.
At the December 11 council meeting, City Mission chief executive Dr Jo Fearman asked the council to waive planning application fees to the tune of almost $40,000.
Dr Fearman said the fees represented less than “half a per cent” of the overall costs.
“For a not-for-profit organisation like City Mission every dollar counts,” she said to the councillors.
“Right now many in our community are seeking our support to put food on the table and give gifts to their children at Christmas time.”
Dr Fearman said this project would “change lives and strengthen Launceston for decades”.
The councillors passed a motion to waive the fees, totalling $39,368.
Almost all councillors supported the waiver despite the council officers’ recommendation not to, due to the lack of policy.
Councillors felt the waiver was supported by strategic goals like the council’s Housing Plan, which was adopted in May and highlighted the need for diverse housing.
Councillor Danny Gibson said this waiver was a “tangible” effort from council for addressing housing needs.
“We have a strategy which clearly outlines our intent with regard to additional housing supply,” he said.
City Mission said the precinct was about “long-term solutions”.
“This year more than 2500 people have sought food and financial relief through City Mission – 500 of those experiencing homelessness, with Launceston’s rental vacancy rate below 0.5 per cent,” Dr Fearman said.
“This development is about giving more people a safe home, improving health and wellbeing, and creating a stronger, more connected community.”
The jointly funded project received $11 million from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program and $8 million from Homes Tasmania.
In November, the Tasmanian Housing Dashboard reported another increase on the waiting list for social housing.
In the 12 month period from October 2024 to October 2025, there has been a 9.5 per cent increase, up from 4912 to 5380, this is also a month on month increase of 44 from September 2025.
In October, Homes Tasmania reported 17 new units in Geeveston built by St Joseph Affordable Homes and managed by Loreto Community Housing, Community Housing Growth Program invested $2.3 million for the units.
Originally published as Fee waiver a drop in the ocean but will help put food on the table for many struggling
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