Leaders call for reform

TASMANIA’S housing sector leaders are calling on the State Government to get serious about planning reform.

Housing Industry Association executive director Rick Sassin and Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Tony Collidge have cited planning reform as one of the most vital topics of discussion ahead of tomorrow’s mit.

Mr Collidge expects many stakeholders will be of the view that Tasmania’s issues are bigger than just finding ways to “put more homes in Hobart”.

“Planning should be taken away from councils; that would be a huge burden to lift from them. Our current planning scheme is too subjective; three town planners can read it three housing sum- different ways. Our planning scheme needs to have the flexibility to allow multiple-use zonings,” he said.

“And we should look at commercial zonings that take up a huge amount of land in hubs like Moonah.”

Mr Sassin said getting serious about planning reform was key to solving housing affordability.

He said the discussion around tax should be resumed and the Government should put an end to taxes that keep first home buyers out of the market.

Mr Collidge said Tasmania’s property market had, to some extent, become a “victim of its own success”.

“We need strong leadership from the Government if it is to be addressed,” he said.

“If the population is to grow by 150,000 people by 2050 as the Premier has spoken about, how will we cater for that level of growth?

“Instead of building 5000 properties a year, do we need to build 7500 and where will those homes be built?”

Mr Collidge suggested a government audit of its existing properties to identify inefficiencies such as a Housing Department home that has just one person living in it when it would cater to a family.

He said government land, such as former schools, was also worth looking at as they were often prime locations for residential development.

“Hobart also needs infill housing in the city, there is very little apartment accommodation in the city,” he said.

Premier Will Hodgman announced the summit last week.