Media release – Felix Ellis, Minister for Housing, Planning, and Consumer Affairs, 2 February 2025
Unlocking land for almost 10,000 new homes
Land that will unlock thousands of new homes is on the horizon for home builders and developers with the Tasmanian Liberal Government proposing the extension of the Urban Growth Boundary across greater Hobart.
The proposed extension would see 615 hectares of land freed up across Brighton, Clarence, Glenorchy, Hobart, Kingborough and Sorell.
Opening consultation today, Minister for Housing, Planning, and Consumer Affairs, Felix Ellis, said the Tasmanian Government is pulling out all the stops to get homes delivered for Tasmanians.
“The proposed extension of the Urban Growth Boundary will free up more than 615 hectares across greater Hobart – that’s enough land for almost 10,000 new homes,” Minister Ellis said.
“Paired with other key development incentives and initiatives brought forward by this Liberal Government, the extension of the Urban Growth Boundary will see more Tasmanians realise the dream of homeownership.
“We’re backing in the builders to get more roofs over the heads of Tasmanians.
“By unlocking more opportunities for homes to be built, we’re sending a message to home builders and developers far and wide: come and build your homes in Tasmania.”
Changes to the current Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy will also be brought forward to ensure the Strategy remains practical and up to date, enabling sustainable growth across southern towns.
Tasmanians can provide their feedback here.
Media release – Master Builders Tasmania, 2 February 2025
Unlocking land vital to building more houses
Master Builders Tasmania strongly supports the Government’s plan to expand the urban growth boundary.
Master Builders Tasmania CEO, David Clerk, said it was good news for people wanting to build their own home.
“We desperately need to build more homes in Tasmania and this is an important step,” Mr Clerk said.
“By expanding the Urban Growth Boundary, the Government is unlocking enough land to build nearly 10,000 more homes.
“It’s really important that the Government continues to invest in programs such as the High Vis Army, so we have enough skilled workers to capitalise on the opportunities this decision creates.
“Currently there are around 29,000 people working in the building and construction sector in Tasmania, but we need to increase that to 40,000 if we are going to keep up with demand and deliver the pipeline of projects already in the works.”
Media release – Housing Industry Association, 2 February 2025
HIA welcomes plan to unlock land in the Greater Hobart Region
HIA has welcomed the State Government’s proposal to extend the Urban Growth Boundary across Greater Hobart, unlocking up to 615 hectares of land for residential development, with the potential for 10,000 new homes to be built.
“The timely supply of land for new housing is a fundamental element in delivering new homes and supporting housing affordability objectives” said Stuart Collins, HIA Executive Director Tasmania.
“To be able to build much needed homes for Tasmanians, we require a ready supply of ‘shovel ready’ land and this announcement is the first step in addressing one of the key constraints to housing delivery.
“Increased land supply also puts downward pressure on land prices. This is important as land continues to be a significant contributor to the final cost of housing.
“HIA will also use the consultation to advocate for better and more efficient subdivision processes, to ensure any new land made available is brought to market expediently.
“HIA is also urging the government to identify suitable infill areas for higher-density development to complement the release of more greenfield land. This dual approach can go a long way to addressing Tasmania’s housing supply issues while providing the right mix of housing diversity,” concluded Mr Collins.
Media release – Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, Shadow Minister for Planning, Shadow Minister for Building & Construction, 4 February 2025
Decade of neglect delivers nothing but empty lots and broken promises
New ABS data has provided more proof that urgent reform is needed to fix Tasmania’s planning scheme that has become utterly broken after 10 years of Liberal neglect.
Just 197 dwelling units were approved in December which is the worst December result in almost a decade. In the past year there have been 401 fewer home building approvals than in the previous twelve months – a 14 per cent reduction.
Last year Labor questioning forced Minister Felix Ellis to reveal that just six houses had been built on land with “fast-tracked” approvals using Housing Supply orders. How many have been built now?
The Housing Supply Orders were introduced in 2018 to address Tasmania’s lack of housing supply, that means the Liberals haven’t even managed to build one house per year under the fast-track policy – that’s not a solution, it’s a complete failure.
It’s been close to 10 years since the Liberals promised to make planning fairer, faster, cheaper, and simpler with a singular statewide scheme. Instead, nothing has happened except the system becoming more complicated, inefficient, and out of touch with the needs of Tasmanians.
The only thing this Liberal minority government is good at building is its track record of failing to deliver.
Media release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Housing Spokesperson, 4 February 2024
Time for the Liberals to act on real housing solutions
The Liberal Government must act now on real solutions to Tasmania’s housing crisis. It’s time to help struggling Tasmanians by building more public and social housing, rein in short-stay and give renters real rights.
The Liberals decade of inaction on housing has created a housing crisis which is hitting Tasmanians hard. Thanks to the Liberals, lutruwita / Tasmania has the fastest growing homeless population in Australia and a housing waitlist that’s more than doubled.
Finding an affordable place to live is becoming impossible, at a time when Tasmanians are already struggling with the rising cost of living. A safe and affordable home isn’t just a basic need, it’s a fundamental human right.
The public housing waitlist has blown out as the Liberals have failed to build enough public and social houses. It’s time for the Rockliff Government to invest in more public and social housing, instead of a billion-dollar stadium.
The Liberals have been asleep at the wheel as countless rental properties have been lost to short-stay accommodation. The Liberals must finally rein in short-stay accommodation to ensure homes for Tasmanians.
The Greens have been trying to stop unreasonable rent increases and introduce minimum standards in rental for years now. But every time we’ve been blocked by the Labor and Liberal parties, who’ve done nothing as rental prices have skyrocketed around the state.
With the housing crisis worsening for Tasmanians, the Rockliff Government must act now on real solutions to the housing crisis, by building more public and social housing, reining in short-stays and giving renters real rights.
Media release – Helen Burnet MP, Greens Planning spokesperson, 5 February 2025
Liberals Should Rethink Urban Growth Boundary Plan
The Liberals’ proposal to expand Greater Hobart’s Urban Growth Boundary is yet another attack on proper planning process that is designed to distract from their lack of meaningful action on the housing crisis.
For a decade the Liberals have refused to build enough homes, reign in Airbnb or give renters better rights. The result is a housing waiting list that’s out of control and the fastest growing homeless population in the nation. Rather than responding to this crisis with things that will make a real difference, Felix Ellis is serving up pure politics instead.
Measures like expanding the Urban Growth Boundary without any planned approach, and bringing in Development Assessment Panels will not solve the housing crisis. In fact, they will likely lead to worse outcomes for the community. What we need is a strategic approach, backed up by thoughtful investment by government.
Expanding the Urban Growth Boundary in the ad-hoc, scatter gun way proposed by Minister Ellis risks exacerbating other major challenges Hobart is facing. For example, it makes it much harder to provide essential services like healthcare. And more building on the suburban fringes will mean more traffic congestion and more taxpayer funds spent on roads and other infrastructure. Unlike every other state, developers wouldn’t be required to pay a penny for any of this.
Felix Ellis’ ill-conceived assault on planning also has the potential for significant environmental consequences too. The State of Environment Report specifically called out the risks of expanding urban growth boundaries, and made clear the potential damage to ecosystems, water quality and wildlife habitat. But the Minister has decided to completely ignore these crucial findings and recommendations.
There are so many existing opportunities to create new housing within Tasmania’s cities. Councils are crying out for the Rockliff Government to get on board with the solutions they know are available, like enabling inner-city development.
It’s time for the Liberals to abandon their politically motivated attacks on the planning scheme. They need to step up and do their job delivering real housing solutions.
