Maryknoll site in Blackmans Bay owned by the Presentation Sisters rezoned to general residential paving way for affordable housing

The proposal for an affordable housing estate in southern Tasmania is a step closer after a planning scheme amendment was approved.

A COASTAL block of land south of Hobart earmarked for conversion into an affordable housing estate has received the tick of approval for rezoning from the state’s planning body.

The 3ha parcel of land along Home Ave in Blackmans Bay is owned by the Tasmanian Presentation Sisters, a group of Catholic nuns, who purchased the site in 1929.

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It is currently home to the Maryknoll Retreat and Conference Centre.

The Kingborough Council last year approved a planning scheme amendment request to rezone the land at the site.

The major changes made were for almost 2ha to be rezoned from low density residential to general residential and a small portion of the land to be rezoned into open space.

The Tasmanian Planning Commission has now approved the rezoning despite receiving 55 representations against the proposal.

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Concerns raised included the impact on amenity through increased noise and traffic and that the council had not given sufficient notification or consultation.

There were also complaints made that affordable housing was not suitable for the location.

The Commission approved the amendment with no changes.

The approval paves the way for a development application to be lodged for houses at the site, in an effort the Presentations Sisters have said to help overcome the state’s housing crisis.

Congregation leader Sister Gabrielle Morgan previously said the Maryknoll site would be used to provide a range of progressive housing options for people.

The site will be developed and managed by CatholicCare Tasmania’s Centacare Evolve Housing.

Kingborough mayor Dean Winter said the Commission outcome vindicated the decision made by the council to initiate the amendment last year.

“The main component of the amendment is to rezone areas of the Maryknoll site from low-density residential to general residential, in line with zoning across the vast majority of Blackmans Bay,” he said.

“No development applications for houses or units have been submitted or approved. Like any other development, any applications will need to be considered by the Kingborough Planning Authority against the planning scheme before construction can commence.

“I know the Presentation Sisters are working closely with Centacare Evolve to realise their vision for the site.

“While council has no control over who lives in any housing – a mix of private ownership, affordable and social housing appears to be an appropriate way to develop the site in line with the Sisters’ vision.”

CatholicCare Tasmania executive manager of housing Ben Wilson said the completed project would include a mix of private ownership, affordable housing and social housing.

“CatholicCare Tasmania’s vision of providing affordable and steady housing for Tasmanians allows us to make a tangible difference to the lives of many Tasmanians in providing them with one of life’s most basic necessities – safe, secure and affordable housing,” he said.