Local developers hit stumbling block with urban growth boundary running down their fence line preventing subdivision plans

A vacant block of land on in a popular Hobart suburb would be developed into a significant residential subdivision except for one major planning hurdle. Find out more >>

Developers wanting to build a subdivision worth up to $40 million on the eastern shore are being prevented by an invisible boundary down the side of their fence.

Matt Brown and Peter Geale want to build a 78-dwelling subdivision on the corner of Cambridge and Pass roads, Mornington.

Local resident Simon Walker and developers Peter Geale and Matt Brown at the proposed site of a housing development at Mornington. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The project would be worth $35-40 million and include a range of housing types.

The developers bought the land in 2012 and have spent about $40,000 on planning consultants reports, but have hit a stumbling block as the land is outside what is called the urban growth boundary.

The boundary around greater Hobart aims to balance greenfield growth and infill development.

It runs down the fence line of the Cambridge Rd block and on the other side are dozens of new homes.

An application for rezoning and amending the boundary was submitted to the Clarence City Council in December, but Mr Brown said it had not progressed.

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“As logical as it may seem to everyone who drives past that site, we’re being told we can’t do anything because of an imaginary line that was drawn 10 years ago by someone sitting in an office,” Mr Brown said.

“The land is fully serviceable using existing infrastructure so it can quickly and easily be developed and brought to market, which is what makes this process so frustrating.”

Mr Brown said he would like to start the subdivision work by early next year.

“Now more than ever we need to be planning and getting projects approved and ready to go as there are many projects being cancelled or shelved due to the coronavirus impacts, which is going to have a devastating impact on the construction industry and broader economy,” he said.

Mornington resident Simon Walker said the area was lacking open green spaces, parks and shops and he was supportive of the Cambridge Rd development if it included those elements.

“I am passionate to see things grow in the area as I am wanting better safer places for new young families in the area to go,” he said.

A council spokesman said the rezoning application had not progressed “very far at the moment because our priority has been dealing with the local planning scheme as required by the Planning Commission. As soon as we have completed that we can investigate and prepare a report on this matter.”

A State Government spokesman said the urban growth boundary ensured new residential development was planned appropriately.

“With large amounts of undeveloped land zoned for residential use already within the UGB, this should be the focus of future urban expansion rather than new areas of land outside,” he said.

“As part of the Hobart City Deal, a metro plan for greater Hobart will be developed that will strategically guide future residential growth that considers not just infrastructure, but the potential for increased urban density in appropriate locations.”