No easy fix for housing crisis, warns Premier Will Hodgman as emergency summit opens

UPDATED: A LAND tax rebate to boost rental property numbers and a review of Housing Tasmania stock are among the measures agreed to at an emergency summit to tackle the state’s housing crisis.

UPDATED: STAKEHOLDERS at an urgent government housing summit have agreed on measures such as a land tax rebate to boost rental properties, fast-track legislation for 239ha of government-owned land releases, and a review of Housing Tasmania stock.

However, TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said a range of other measures for more immediate solutions to the housing crisis would be further researched during the next two or three weeks.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said “we simply need more houses”.

The Government has identified 239ha of government-owned land potentially suitable for residential development of up to 3000 homes.

However, Michael Kerschbaum, from the Master Builders Association, said more builders would be needed to construct new homes more quickly.

Premier Will Hodgman, centre, speaking about the urgent need for more housing in Tasmania. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

He said right now the industry did not have capacity to build an extra 3000 homes.

Shelter Tasmania’s Pattie Chugg said Tasmania’s housing crisis had been a long time building, and would take a while to “unbuild”.

She said stakeholders had committed to ongoing dialogue.

The Government also plans to undertake a voluntary program to better match Housing Tasmania tenants and properties, with some four-bedroom Housing Tasmania properties tenanted by people who did not require that space.

Up to $300,000 will be invested by the Government to provide a 100 per cent land tax rebate to property owners as an incentive to immediately list up to 500 existing properties for long-term rent in greater Hobart.

EARLIER: HOBART’S housing crisis was complex and would defy simple solutions, Premier Will Hodgman has told an emergency summit on the issue.

State and local government leaders, charities and industry groups have gathered in Hobart to search for ways to ease the growing difficulty Tasmanians are experiencing finding a place to live.

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Mr Hodgman said he hoped the summit would find ways to increase the supply of housing in the face of increased demand from people moving to the state, booming tourism and demand from a growing student sector.

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“This is a complex issue. It is extremely unlikely that there is any silver bullet,” Mr Hodgman said.

Premier Will Hodgman at today’s housing summit at the Executive Building in Hobart. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“It is most likely that it is beyond the capacity of any government to totally deal with what is an increasing community challenge.”

But he said there was no doubt on the reality of the crisis — nor the need for attempts to find a cure.

“No Tasmanians should be living in a tent, no Tasmanians should be without a home.”

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Treasurer Peter Gutwein said that the housing crisis reflected a booming economy.

He said the Government was doing what I could by spending $125 more on affordable housing and seeking to identify crown land suitable for new developments.

And he said fast-tracking zoning approvals might help increase supply.

Mr Gutwein said whatever solution the Government settled on, it would not increase taxes or increase regulation.

UTAS Institute for the Study of Social Change director Richard Eccleston and Opposition Leader Rebecca White at today’s summit. Picture: RICHARD JUPE