Prime coastal land at Blackmans Bay nets $5.3m for affordable housing on 3ha Maryknoll site

Highly sought-after blocks of land at Blackmans Bay sparked intense interest and strong bidding, raising millions of dollars for affordable housing. AUCTION DETAILS >>

SPIRITED bidding wars broke out as prospective builders battled to snap up rare and sought-after blocks of prime coastal land at Blackmans Bay, with more than $5m raised at the auction on Saturday.

Seven lots at the Maryknoll site at Home Ave went under the hammer and more than 100 people turned up for the occasion, with one local buyer forking out $932,000 for the chance to build his dream home to retire in.

There was huge interest in the auction at the Maryknoll site at Blackmans Bay on Saturday. Picture: Chris Kidd

The cheapest of the blocks sold for $540,000, with the total of $5.32m secured from the prime land sales to be used to fund affordable housing on other parts of the site.

It was part of a vision by Catholic nuns The Presentation Sisters, which decided to donate the 3ha parcel of the land they owned to the community after the group was touched by stories of Tasmanians struggling to find housing.

Sister Gabrielle Morgan pictured at the site in 2019. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The Presentation Sisters congregational leader, Sister Gabrielle Morgan, said the group was thrilled with the outcome of the auction.

Sister Morgan said every cent raised would be put towards affordable housing.

“I’m just very delighted with the interest and the fact that our dream is that much closer to being realised,” she said.

“I look forward to the day, if I’m still around, when I can just be delighted to see so many people happily living in affordable housing on what was our property.”

The successful bidder for the highly sought-after Lot 9 said he could not wait to build his new home on the site.

“With the panoramic views and being raised and born in this area, I want to retire here,” he said.

Blocks of land being auctioned at Blackmans Bay, Lot 9 sold for $932,000. Picture: Chris Kidd

The man, who did not want to be identified, said he was nervous throughout bidding and had paid more than he was expecting to, but admitted the market dictated the price.

The man had engaged in a spirited bidding contest with Alpesh Patel, who eventually secured one of the other prime blocks.

Alpesh Patel was keen to secure Lot 9, but in the end settled for one of the other blocks. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Patel, of Lenah Valley, also said it would become the new home for his young family, saying he was attracted by the beachside location and spectacular water views.

“It was a very intense bidding war, I wanted to get that lot (Lot 9) ... but I am very happy,” he said.

“It is going to be a family home. As soon as the land settles, we will start planning for it.”

Auctioneer Hank Petrusma, of EIS Property, said there had been huge interest in the site, with more than 2000 inquiries since the listing went live.

“I’ve been in this business for over 50 years and I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” he said.

“This is one of the few blocks of land available in Blackmans Bay, and it has a very special emotional connection in what the sisters are going to do.

“In this present insane market it was impossible to tell what the final results were going to be, but in our view it has exceeded our expectations.

“It meets the criteria of most people wanting a quality parcel of land, in a good area, good location with a spectacular outlook, and people can just enjoy the rest of their lives here.”

Auctioneer Hank Petrusma said the sales exceeded all expectations. Picture: Chris Kidd

The affordable housing on the site is being developed by Catholic Care Tasmania’s housing subsidiary Centacare Evolve Housing.

Chief executive Ben Wilson said there would be about 40 properties built on the site, in line with the wishes of The Presentation Sisters.

Mr Wilson said it would be home to some of those people currently on the public housing waiting list, and those involved in National Disability Insurance Scheme programs.

“We have construction starting before Christmas here on a number of properties and over the next 18 months we hope to see the majority of those particular properties finished and occupied,” he said.

“[The auction sales] certainly demonstrates where the market is at and the demand that’s there.”

The Maryknoll site was purchased by the Tasmanian Presentation Sisters in 1929, and is currently home to the Maryknoll Retreat and Conference Centre.

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