Greens push rail corridor in northern suburbs to boost housing

A new authority should be established to boost housing development along Hobart’s northern suburban rail corridor, the Greens say.

Jade Li chair person Multicultural Council of Tasmania and Greens member for Clark Helen Burnet in Moonah in relation to affordable and social housing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A new authority should be established to boost housing development along Hobart’s northern suburbs rail corridor, the Greens say.

Properly using the land either side of the disused rail line would be a good way of addressing the city’s housing availability and affordability crisis, Greens member for Clark Helen Burnet says.

She says a Northern Transit Corridor Development Authority could help.

“We know the housing crisis is hitting Tasmanians hard, with so many people struggling to find a place to live full stop – let alone an affordable home,” she said.

“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen from the Liberals over the last 11 years is a failure to invest what’s needed to build the housing Tasmania needs.

Jade Li chair person Multicultural Council of Tasmania and Greens member for Clark Helen Burnet in Moonah in relation to affordable and social housing. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The result has been homelessness growing faster than anywhere in the country, and the public housing waiting list now at a record high.”

The Greens want to the NTCDA to be funded to the $4m a year for its first two years, then

$35m per year from 2027/28 to build 71 homes a year and partner with the private sector to harness potential growth of up to 5000 dwellings by 2037.

The disused transport corridor has been the subject of multiple studies over the last decade for linking including light rail, trackless trams and bus rapid transport to stimulate development.

The federal government set aside $20m to activate the rail corridor in the 2019 city deal, although no concrete progress has yet been made.

“This area ticks all the boxes for new medium-density housing. It’s close to existing services, economic opportunities, and transport. And it can be developed in a way that is more affordable, more efficient, and that delivers significant social and economic benefits,” Ms Burnet said.

Northern suburb rail tracks in Hobart.

“The northern suburbs transit corridor is such a huge opportunity to any government.

“The Greens believe investment in a project like this should be a top priority, not a billion-dollar stadium.”

Multicultural Council of Tasmania spokeswoman Jade Li said improved housing options were particularly important for newcomers.

“Affordable, appropriate, and accessible housing is much needed in the multicultural community,” she said.

“Medium-density development along the northern suburbs transit corridor is a practical solution, especially as many in our community depend on public transport.”

And the Planning Institute of Australia Tasmania welcomed the policy proposal.

“A development authority is a tried and trusted model that can unlock much needed

housing and drive urban renewal,” PIA Tasmania president Mick Purves said.

“This announcement marks a shift in the conversation, from planning being red tape and

regulation, to recognising planning as a key enabler for housing, jobs, employment and

better social and economic outcomes for Tasmanians.”

Originally published as Greens push rail corridor in northern suburbs to boost housing