Prime land at Blackmans Bay will be turned into 70 affordable housing homes to alleviate Tasmania’s accommodation crisis

A valuable block of coastal land in Hobart suburb will be converted into affordable accommodation to help overcome the housing crisis.

Sister Gabrielle Morgan at the coastal block of land at Blackmans Bay that will be converted into an estate to help overcome the housing crisis. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A VALUABLE coastal block of land south of Hobart will be converted into an affordable housing estate to help overcome the housing crisis.

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

It has magnificent views looking out to the Tasman Sea and houses the Maryknoll Retreat and Conference Centre on the northwestern corner, which has been made available to schools, parishes and the community for retreats, meetings and conferences over the years, and a small residential dwelling at the southern end, where two elderly nuns live.

Sister Gabrielle Morgan at the property that will be converted to affordable accommodation. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The Kingborough Council last week approved a planning scheme amendment request to rezone the land at 15 Home Avenue.

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 approval paves the way for a development application to be lodged imminently to build about 70 new houses at the site.

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

“The site will be developed to hold private ownership, affordable housing and social housing and will provide supports to a range of individuals, families and the community,” she said.

“The Presentation Sisters are committed to supporting people with a particular focus on education and housing needs.

“The development of the site will enable the Presentation Sisters to continue to realise this commitment through the provision of a range of inclusive housing options for community members, with a particular focus on those who are struggling to find a home.”

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The site will be developed and managed by CatholicCare Tasmania, on behalf of the Presentation Sisters.

Kingborough mayor Dean Winter said councillors agreed the proposal was consistent with Kingborough’s strategic objectives for the area and would add valuable public open space and much needed new housing supply.

“The residential blocks and public open space would allow the site to be enjoyed by locals who probably haven’t seen inside the Maryknoll property.”