‘Show’us support to create housing

NEXT month’s state budget should include funding to fasttrack a bold vision for the Hobart Showgrounds precinct that would include the building of up to 500 new homes, Labor says.

The Opposition said backing in the multimillion-dollar plan by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania would not only increase housing stock, but aid in the state’ s economic recovery from COVID-19.

A draft master plan for the 12 ha site has been completed, with consultation ongoing with keys takeholders about the vision, which also includes a new visitor centre and emergency centre for people and animals in times of natural disaster.

It is understood the first stage of the development would cost $42.5m, with state and federal funding sought. A proportion of the new homes would be designated as affordable housing.

Labor housing spokeswoman Alison Standen said there was a shortfall of 11,400 social and affordable homes in Tasmania.

“There’s no alternative but to build more homes, and housing ends homelessness ,’’ she said.

“I think it would be critical to have bipartisan support for this. This is exactly the type of project we need coming out of the pandemic, to really make a difference in the community and start to make real headway on the housing crisis.”

Ms Standen said the state of the rental market meant that in many cases, it was cheaper to make monthly mortgage repaymentsthantopayforarental.

Labor MP for Clark Ella Haddad said the project would put a roof over the head of more than 1000 people and create hundreds of jobs.

“It’s a really impressive vision that the show society has put together, now it’s just a matter of funding it and getting on to do it,’’ she said. “With the proposal enjoying bipartisan support, I urge the government to commit to fundingthisexcitingprojectinthe upcomingstatebudget.

“By getting this type of project off the ground, we can help Tasmania emerge from this crisis a betterandfairerstate.”

The government did not respond to questions about whether it was considering funding the project in the upcoming budget, saying budget initiatives would be handeddownonNovember12.