Hobart City Council new housing approvals up almost as many as whole of last year
Hobart City Council has almost ticked off more new homes in the first 50 days of 2019 as it did for the whole of last year.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
HOBART City Council has almost ticked off more new homes in the first 50 days of 2019 as it did for the whole of last year.
Following Monday night’s council meeting at least 112 new dwellings had been approved this year, not far behind the 136 given the go-ahead for the entire 2018.
The approval two multistorey developments on February 4, on Bathurst and Burnett streets, added 100 apartments to the city and was a significant boost for this year’s tally.
INNER-CITY LIVING GETS A LITTLE EASIER
COUNCIL APPROVES 100 APARTMENTS IN ONE NIGHT
LORD MAYOR’S TOP TIPS TO BEAT HOBART TRAFFIC
If the University of Tasmania’s temporary student accommodation is also included it takes the figure past the 250 mark.
Alderman Simon Behrakis said it showed the new council meant business.
“The recently approved UTAS temporary accommodation application, along with the other two large developments approved the same night are definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.
“It will address the short supply of housing stock and hopefully see some easing of pressures in the market.”
But he said the council should be doing more to fix the problem.
“Unfortunately, at the moment the debate seems to be stuck on whether we should allow investment or not, regardless of the fact that we desperately need to increase housing supply in Hobart,” Ald Behrakis said.
“Rather than looking at every development and thinking why should we approve this, council should be looking at housing projects through the prism of why wouldn’t we approve this.
“We need to stop whingeing, roll up our sleeves and get on with it.”
In 2016-17 the council approved 184 new dwellings, last financial year it was 188.
Councillor Holly Ewin said she was excited by the start to the year as there was such a severe lack of medium density housing in Hobart.
“All developments should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but we don’t want to be pushing people out of the CBD,” Cr Ewin said.
“Affordable housing is medium density development. We all need somewhere to live.”
Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Tony Collidge said it was “sensational”.
He said the public pressure and dire demand for housing had finally had an impact.
“It’s something we’ve been crying out for the last three years,” he said.
“Inner city apartment living and accommodation are absolutely paramount for meeting the current shortage.
“This is the first step in climbing the ladder to alleviate the pressure of high rents and housing prices.”
Mr Collidge said encouraged more inner city building also sent an important message that Hobart was “open for development and not a closed shop”.
Master Builders Tasmania executive director Matthew Pollock said last year’s figure was very low and the recent approvals couldn’t have come at a more important time.
“There is a growing demand for inner city living and the only way we are going to meet this new demand is to build more high and medium density housing,” he said.
“Building in the city also limits urban sprawl which means less people driving into the city and reduces the city’s environmental footprint.”
Property Council Tasmania executive director Brian Wightman said the numbers were encouraging but a long way from “mission accomplished”.
jack.paynter@news.com.au
MORE NEWS:
RITA VOWS TO REBUILD AFTER DEVASTATING BUSHFIRE
21-year-old Margate rider dies after police tried to intercept him
Police professional standards will investigate the circumstances leading to the death of a male motorcyclist. Find out what happened.
60-year-old man dies while competing in triathlon
A man has died while competing in the swim leg of the Coles Bay Triathlon. What we know.