Yesterday’s announcement of the K&D brickworks closure on Giblin St in New Town (TT HERE) brings about an opportunity to create more housing options for Hobart, close to the city centre, Greens Alderman Helen Burnet has suggested.
“The area abuts paddocks, a sportsfield and residential areas. It is zoned Residential 2 which allows for a stratum title development such as aged care facility, or subdivision into housing lots. Ald Burnet suggested that it would be a better option than pushing housing to the city’s borders and pushing people’s commuting costs sky high.
“To subdivide and create a housing estate would be a good move for Kemp and Denning, and would also help stimulate the building industry, thereby creating jobs beyond the life of the brickworks.
“The land is fairly flat and would be perfect to suit the changing housing needs for Tasmania’s ageing population, or for smaller, more compact dwellings favoured by some younger people.
“There have been successful former brickworks redevelopments in other states, including the brickworks at Hindmarsh in Adelaide’s inner west, which is a successful market. Anything developed should reflect back to commemorate the life and role the brickworks has played in shaping Hobart.”
Ald Burnet recognised that there would be expensive remediation required for the site. “162 years of brickmaking has a significant impact on the environment and the recent environmental impact study has highlighted the fallout from years of brickmaking
“This is the responsibility of the company to make good. On taking on industrial practice of course companies should be thinking ahead to the costs associated with remediation. Remediating any damaged environment is a bit like workers’ providing employer contributions to workers. It’s like preparing for the future,and should be in the front of minds for when a long-term operation concludes.
“The company does have responsibility and it is pleasing to see that they are trying to find employment solutions for their staff. But it will be just as important to repair any environmental impacts of this type of industry so that the people who come to live in this area can live there without the effects of industrial fallout once the last brick comes off the conveyor belt.”
She finished by saying, “Already I am sure that nearby residents affected over many years by dust and emissions will be breathing a sigh of relief to think that there will be less smoke and pollution to deal with from the brickworks site.”
