Dozens of affordable homes to be built at Blackmans Bay on donated land
An affordable housing development at Blackmans Bay has drawn both praise and criticism from the community.
Tasmania
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IT may not have the blessing of its neighbours, but an affordable housing development at Blackmans Bay has been blessed by the Archbishop.
Work is now underway at the Maryknoll development, which will comprise 54 dwellings in a mix of social housing and affordable private homes for sale.
The development sits on 3ha of prime coastal land donated by Catholic nuns the Presentation Sisters.
The development was originally intended to include up to 70 dwellings, but was scaled back following backlash from nearby residents.
The Save Blackmans Bay Bluff Group lobbied against the development on grounds that it would ruin the character of the area, would strain local infrastructure and further endanger the swift parrot.
During a blessing service at the site led by Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous, Presentation Sisters congregational leader Gabrielle Morgan said the group had been touched by stories of Tasmanians struggling to find housing.
Rather than “wringing their hands” about the problem, Sister Morgan said the group felt compelled to act.
“We’ve taken what steps we can take to make the housing situation better for some people and hoping that other people might make contributions in all sorts of ways to help people that are struggling,” she said.
The project has received $3.5m funding from the state government, $2.3m from CatholicCare and the land was valued at $3.1m.
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the Presentation Sisters had a long history in Tasmania of helping people in poverty and those experiencing homelessness and housing stress.
“I thank them for their service and their extraordinary generosity as we continue to assist Tasmanians into housing,” he said.
The houses are expected to be completed in mid-2022, with most to become homes to families on the housing priority waiting list, people with disabilities and over 55s.
The first Presentation Sisters came to Tasmania in 1866 and Maryknoll was purchased in 1929.
The Presentation Sisters were recently inducted into the 2021 Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women.
Govt claims it’s making a inroads
HOUSING Minister Roger Jaensch says the government is making significant inroads on affordable housing, amid renewed criticism from Labor about the number of houses built.
Mr Jaensch said the Government was meeting its $100 million commitment to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in Tasmania.
“We remain on track to deliver up to 1,500 new social housing dwellings by June 2023, with (an expressions of interest process) identifying many new supply projects across the state, with some significantly progressed with design work complete and approved development applications in place,” he said.
However Shadow Housing Minster Alison Standen said Mr Jaensch was placing photo opportunities above the actual building of homes.
Ms Standen was referring to the launch of the Maryknoll affordable housing development on Friday, which she attended.
“The fact is almost 3,600 families are on the housing waiting list,” Ms Standen said.
“The fact is this is a 65 per cent increase on the waiting list the Liberal Government inherited seven years ago.
“The fact is Mr Jaensch admitted last year that the total supply of social housing in this state increased by just five properties on his watch between September 2019 and December 2020.
The Premier’s State of the State address on Tuesday included a commitment to reconsider government affordable housing policy, given the unprecedented demand for housing across all sectors.
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