Success of Inner City Living project continues in Launceston

Chamber of Commerce CEO Neil Grose says the project is attracting optimism, enthusiasm and lots of investment into Launceston

Government and council are encouraging people to develop unused inner city spaces into living spaces in Launceston. From left, ministers Michael Ferguson and Bridget Archer, developer Steve Simeoni, Chamber of Commerce CEO Neil Grose and Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten. Picture: PATRICK GEE

GOVERNMENT and industry are celebrating the success of Launceston’s Inner City Living project to date.

The project, an initiative of the Launceston City Deal, aims to see underused properties in central Launceston developed into residential apartments.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Neil Grose said nearly 40 developments were completed and sold in Launceston last year.

He said there were plenty more opportunities for development with vacant, underused space, “but for some changes in regulations, in local Government attitude and so on”.

Mr Grose said the in-fill project was attracting optimism, enthusiasm and lots of investment into Launceston with projects being sold off the plans.

“It’s all coming from interstate. It’s new money.”

Mr Grose said the interstate investment showed that there was long-term confidence that Launceston was a “safe investment for the future and a great place to live”.

He said global case studies showed that city in-fill could reverse declining retail and declining foot traffic.

He said getting people to live, raise their families, eat and shop in the city would create “a real vibrancy”.

Minister for state growth and infrastructure, Michael Ferguson, said the city was seeing greater diversity in living options.

He said people were starting to look at “buildings behind city streets, alleyways, attics and opportunity for an extra level to be added”.

Steve Simeoni from Tas City Building has been hard at work with a number of developments going up in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

He said the project was also stimulating the building and construction industry.

“That’s driving a positive economy and is just one of the many reasons that this state has the highest confidence in the nation,” he said.

The state Government contributed $150,000 towards the initial consultation study, which Mr Ferguson said helped kick started the project and led to relaxation of planning restrictions to make it easier for residents to take up occupancy in the upper levels of CBD buildings.

Mayor Albert van Zetten said property values were increasing and the past two years had seen a record $211 million worth of developments.

He said council was working with developers to work through panning requirements and “make them as smooth as possible”.

“We are working to make sure they are done in the right way and they are done as quick as they can be,” he said.

Last year local construction company Tas City Building developed 33 inner city apartments across 11 locations in Launceston.

“This year we’re investing in ourselves and we’ve got 11 that are already sold and that should take us up to the end of the year,” Company director Steve Simeoni said.

Mr Simeoni said there was great opportunities in Launceston due to the liveability of the city and none of the developments his company constructed last year had affected commercial tenancies.

“It’s using space that no one has ever thought of using before,” he said.

“Most of the units are being sold to mainland people. They come and knock on our door and see what’s available.”