Claim forces work hard to stop growth

SOME local councillors are doing their best to stifle growth in the Hobart CBD, says the outgoing Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president.

In a Talking Point piece in today’s Mercury, Tony Collidge writes of the current housing crisis and the state’s “self-imposed” constraints.

Mr Collidge said the opportunities for Tasmania were endless, but it would take some planning and sacrifices.

He laid some of the blame for the current housing situation on those in the local government sector.

“We have local council(or)s who aren’t accepting of a need for growth within their communities and that if there is to be such growth it will be on their terms, not those of the communities in which they serve,” he writes.

“We have a draconian planning scheme that hinders any hope of overcoming this mess and only encourages division and agitation.

“In 2019, we have seen a significant decrease in investor numbers and this will only place more stress on an already tense market. The lack of a vision or planning by councils and government to permit infill construction at a capacity required has meant that investors are now looking elsewhere outside our state.”

Mr Collidge writes there were five ways to progress development and ease the strain on the housing sector.

They include merging Hobart, Clarence, Glenorchy, Brighton, and Kingborough councils, the creation of planning department to oversee planning and taking away planning approvals from councils.

“If we could drop 1000 apartments in inner Hobart tomorrow, I believe they all would be taken up within six months,” he said.

“I feel sorry for people wanting to live there because those with the ability to make it happen are doing their absolute best to stifle growth in the city (unless it is associated with the University of Tas). We have oldies looking to downsize and professional couples looking for a penthouse or tourists looking for apartment accommodation, but they won’t find them here.”

Local Government Association of Tasmania chief executive officer Katrena Stephenson said the argument being made was dated and not supported by planning data.

“The data continues to support LGAT’s assertion that councils are delivering when it comes to assessment of planning applications,” she said.

“Councillors have to wear ‘two hats” and in their planning authority role, they must consider the public good over private interests and be impartial and objective in their decision-making.”