Clarence City Council follows Hobart in declaring homelessness crisis

Another Greater Hobart council has declared a housing and homelessness crisis as the Hobart City Council’s tri-partisan summit draws near.

Alderman Brendan Blomeley said he hoped Clarence could partner with neighbouring councils to play their part in solving the issue. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

CLARENCE has followed Hobart’s lead in declaring a housing and homelessness crisis.

Clarence City Council unanimously supported Alderman Brendan Blomeley’s motion for more action at Monday night’s meeting.

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“If there is an emergency in one of the councils in the Hobart area, then it is up to all of us to look at ways that we can assist — that is what the housing summit is all about,” Ald Blomeley said.

“From a local government perspective, this is a basic supply and demand issue and immediate action needs to be taken to facilitate sensible and sustainable development throughout the greater Hobart region.

“One obvious area that we need to seriously look at is increasing the level of residential density throughout southern Tasmania.”

Ald Blomeley said he hoped Clarence could partner with neighbouring councils and work “hand-in-glove” with state and federal governments to play their part in solving the issue.

Federal Housing Minister Michael Sukkar has confirmed he will attend a tri-partisan homelessness and crisis accommodation forum on Thursday initiated by the Hobart City Council.

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Mr Sukkar said he wanted to work co-operatively with his state counterpart Roger Jaensch to support the efforts to alleviate housing and homelessness issues.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman and Ald Blomeley will attend Thursday’s summit.

Ald Chipman said he looked forward to engaging with Hobart, other councils and state and federal governments in addressing the problems.

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