Devonport Showgrounds affordable housing plan to help ease crisis

The developer who purchased the Devonport Showgrounds hopes to have his affordable housing plan approved by the end of 2020. Read the project details here.

THE developer behind a large-scale affordable living precinct planned for Devonport says his project is “walking the walk” in helping solve the state’s current housing crisis.

Simon Want last year bought the 10ha, financially-beleaguered Devonport Showgrounds and racetrack site for an undisclosed sum, with settlement slated for December 2021.

The infill project plans to house hundreds of residents with a mixture of price points, with a focus on “adaptable” housing that “co-mingles” young families, older people requiring assisted living and other groups, while also providing allied health support and childcare facilities such as GPs, a pharmacy and childcare.

The developer who purchased the Devonport Showgrounds plans to build up to 300 affordable residencies on the site. PICTURE: Supplied

In response to last week’s final report from a parliamentary committee on affordable housing, Mr Want said a “holistic approach” was needed to address Tasmania’s housing challenges, with solutions that met a variety of needs to house everyone – families, professionals, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

“Tassie’s growing into itself, which is fantastic to see, but what comes with that is all the natural challenges of how you house everyone,” he said.

HOBART APARTMENTS SEEN AS FIX TO THE CITY’S HOUSING SQUEEZE

He added that all parties needed to be part of that conversation, including “mum and dad investors” and people turning their homes into Airbnb accommodation alongside larger-scale developers.

“The commentary around Airbnb is interesting because the only reason people have done that is they need some return on their property so they can pay their bills,” he said.

“You can’t criticise a family for trying to put food on the table and progress themselves.”

INITIATIVES AIMED AT EASING HOUSING PRESSURES NOT ENOUGH

Mr Want said the showgrounds precinct was currently zoned recreational but he was currently undergoing council application processes to rezone it to mixed-use residential.

Simon Want said a “holistic approach” was needed to address Tasmania’s housing challenges.

He said he hoped to have planning approval by the end of 2020, following community consultation, before ultimately building between 200 to 300 residences, including freestanding and semi-detached dwellings.

The project, which Mr Want likened to Melbourne’s Fishermans Bend development, also plans to repurpose some of the showgrounds’ existing buildings for community use.

“If we do our job properly, it will feel like a continuation of Devonport but it won’t be another CBD,” Mr Want said.

“It will be a place-based community — it won’t have a Coles or a Woolworths, but it will have the facilities the community needs.”

HOUSING DEBT WAIVER WILL BENEFIT FAMILIES

He added the housing would meet different price points.

“What we’re very focused on doing is providing the lowest-priced accommodation we can through good construction and good use of the site, it won’t be cheap and nasty.”