‘Build Homes Here’ Campaign Launched for K&D Site

YIMBY Hobart yesterday launched its ‘Build Homes Here’ campaign at the former K&D site in Hobart.

The pro-housing group said they have written to UTAS Vice Chancellor Professor Rufus Black, the Hobart Lord Mayor and the leaders of the major political parties calling for leadership, vision and co-operation between all levels of government.

YIMBY reported that their members are deeply concerned that, left to the market, Hobart’s K&D site “could wind up as car-parking, a car yard or big-box retail, squandering a generational opportunity to transform the central city”.

They believe that the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government and Hobart Council have a collective responsibility to avoid this outcome.

“The pending sale of the site, which occupies a full city block, is a golden opportunity to transform the central city while building more homes where people want to live,” said YIMBY Spokesperson Susan Wallace.

“You only need to look to projects in South Australia supported by Renew SA and East Brunswick Village and Nightingale Developments in Melbourne to see that this kind of urban renewal is possible and necessary to ease the housing crisis”.

“This is not about squeezing out commercial space. On the contrary, the kind of development we are talking about has room for businesses and could be incredibly beneficial for business in the city.”

“Hobart deserves better than another car park or car yard.”

The group believes that the right development on the K&D site has the potential to catalyse a wider transformation in the mid-town area.

In addition to a sizeable medium-density development, they see an opportunity for the site to become a social and cultural hub for people living in, working in and visiting the Hobart CBD. Given its location and size, the site could incorporate housing, open public spaces, pedestrian walkways and commercial space.

The group said there are two pathways, either of which would be an acceptable outcome. One would be the university to continue its sale process but undertake to sell the site to a private developer committed to building medium-density housing.

Alternatively, they would like Hobart Council and/or the Tasmanian Government to purchase the site and ensure it is developed to its full potential, potentially through a public-private partnership involving Homes Tasmania.

“We’re in a housing crisis, with many in the community in housing stress,” said YIMBY Spokesperson Jeremy Sumner. “The time for real vision, co-operation and action is now.”

“This is an extraordinary opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. The right development on this site can provide affordable housing for city workers like nurses, police, retail and hospitality workers.”

“It’s a myth that every household needs a quarter-acre block. We need better options than the current suburban sprawl where new buyers are forced to the urban fringes with long commutes and car-dependence.”

“Urban renewal projects in other cities worldwide prove that, with the right sort of planning, families can choose to live happily in the inner city with the huge advantage of being able to walk to school and work and all the amenities the city has to offer.”

“A co-operative attitude from UTAS and government could see a village built right here with benefits for the whole community. We need visionary action that ensures our city is a place people love to live, work and play.”

Featured image above: a medium-density housing concept.

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