Developments top $18m in hot spot town

NAVARONE FARRELL

A MUNICIPALITY north of Hobart could be the key to home affordability and availability, and post-COVID development in Tasmania.

Brighton Council has approved more than $18 million worth of development applications in the three months to May 2020, bucking the coronavirus downturn.

The council has received a total of 184 development applications and 14 subdivision applications already this year, with about 80 applications still awaiting approval.

And the positive trend is continuing, with Brighton receiving a further 37 development applications as well as a subdivision application in the first three weeks of June. Among the approved developments is a major infill project for Taylor Crescent, Bridgewater, comprising three new connector roads, a neighbourhood park, 41 lots, 37 single dwellings and 16 multiple dwellings.

Council Planning Committee chair Cr Leigh Gray said the increase in development applications secured Brighton’s position as one of the fastest growing municipalities in Tasmania.

“The $18 million total investment in just three months is significant, and rather than being slowed by the COVID-19 emergency, this activity will certainly aid Tasmania’s economic recovery,” he said.

“On average, the time from lodging a development application to gaining council signoff is around 30 days, so our planners are working extremely hard to assess and process approvals to enable an early start on construction.”

Latest realestate.com.au data shows Brighton’s median house price has trended upwards, increasing 13.3 per cent in the past three months, 10.2 per cent in 12 months and 25.8 per cent over the past three years.

Houses are selling for a median price of $390,000 for a three-bedroom, while units are selling for a median price of $295,000.

A UTAS study has predicted Brighton’s population will reach 23,000 within the next two decades.