Labor says government should fund Hobart Showgrounds development in state budget
Glenda Fish is battling – her northern suburbs home is packed to the rafters because of the housing crisis. But a bold new plan may see her, and many like her living in more comfortable conditions. READ THE SPECIAL REPORT >>
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NEXT month’s state budget should include funding to fast-track a bold vision for the Hobart Showgrounds precinct that would include the building of up to 500 new homes, Labor says.
The Opposition said backing in the multimillion-dollar plan by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania would not only increase housing stock, but aid in the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
A draft masterplan for the 12ha site has been completed, with consultation ongoing with key stakeholders about the vision, which also includes a new visitor centre and emergency centre for people and animals in times of natural disaster.
It is understood the first stage of the development would cost $42.5 million, with state and federal funding being sought.
A proportion of the new homes would be designated as affordable housing, and Labor housing spokeswoman Alison Standen said it was an ideal opportunity for the government to address the housing crisis.
Ms Standen said there was a shortfall of 11,400 social and affordable homes in Tasmania.
“There’s no alternative but to build more homes, and housing ends homelessness,’’ she said.
“I think it would be critical to have bipartisan support for this.
“This is exactly the type of project we need coming out of the pandemic, to really make a difference in the community and start to make real headway on the housing crisis.”
Ms Standen said the current state of the rental market meant that in many cases, it was cheaper to make monthly mortgage repayments than to pay for a rental.
Labor MP for Clark Ella Haddad said the project would put a roof over the head of more than 1000 people and create hundreds of jobs.
“It’s a really impressive vision that the show society has put together, now it’s just a matter of funding it and getting on to do it,’’ she said.
“With the proposal enjoying bipartisan support, I urge the government to commit to funding this exciting project in the upcoming state budget.
“By getting this type of project off the ground, we can help Tasmania emerge from this crisis a better and fairer state.”
The state government did not respond to questions about whether it was considering funding the project in the upcoming budget, saying budget initiatives would be handed down on November 12.
A government spokeswoman said up to 1000 new social housing builds was the centrepiece of a construction blitz announced in June, which would underpin $3.1 billion of construction and investment.
HARD TIMES IN THE NORTHERN SUBURBS
GLENDA Fish’s crowded home in Hobart’s northern suburbs is just one example of the problems faced by families amid the state’s housing crisis.
She shares the three-bedroom home with her son, daughter Kristy and her daughter’s two children (aged six and eight), while Ms Fish’s elderly father also stays there occasionally.
“When we're all there together, it’s extremely difficult,’’ Ms Fish said.
“There’s not much room.”
Kristy has been on the social housing waiting list for more than four-and-a-half years — securing a private rental for a short time before it became unaffordable — forcing her and her young family to move back in with her mother.
When renting privately, Kristy’s application was downgraded from priority to a general application, though in April this year she has been reclassified to a priority case.
She is one of more than 3300 applications on the housing register, with priority applicants currently waiting an average of 63 weeks — almost 15 months — to be housed.
Ms Fish said she was happy to be able to put a roof over her daughter’s head, but she wants her to have the opportunity to live independently, affordably and have her own space.
“The main reason we get is there’s not enough houses. They sympathise with us but there’s no houses to give her one,’’ she said.
“We definitely need more housing, not just because of Kristy, but because there’s lots of families that are in the same situation.”
Ms Fish said the crowded household created stress and tension between family members.
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