If elected I will advocate for:
• Inclusionary zoning: ensuring large new developments include a proportion of affordable and social housing through inclusionary zoning requirements.
• Creative zoning: looking to other cities around the world that have addressed frontline worker housing difficulties through zoning changes eg. Housing developed specifically for school-teachers near the school they work or hospital workers close to the hospital.
• Developer contributions: In most Australian jurisdictions outside of Tasmania developers are required to contribute to public infrastructure, such as footpaths, parkland, storm water and parking upgrades in the vicinity of their developments or payment in lieu of that infrastructure to the local council. This is not currently the case in Tasmania.
• Ensuring safe spaces in each municipal area for vulnerable people: Working with existing providers to ensure an adequate supply of crisis accommodation for vulnerable people, such as victims of domestic violence.
• Banning whole home short stay accommodation
• Voluntary acquisition of key privately owned land for housing: working with State and Federal counterparts to secure funding to acquire existing strategic land that can be on-sold to developers with contracts in place to ensure development meets community needs for increased, diverse housing stock close to key workplaces and transport corridors.
• Exploring alternative models of housing: There are many ways to skin a cat, and exploring different models of ownership, such as housing collectives, may form part of the solution.
Housing is a key priority for Hobart. I understand the increased difficulty in obtaining housing across all sectors of the market and the cost of living pressures resulting from sky rocketing rents, driven by lack of supply. I know that pressure on housing is only going to get worse with projected 38% population growth between now and 2050, equating to between 60,000 & 100,000 more people calling Greater Hobart home. One third of which will move to urban infill developments in Hobart LGA. That means at least 20,000 more people living between Lenah Valley and Sandy Bay.
I acknowledge that past social housing strategies, such as broad acre developments have been an abject failure. We now understand that mixed housing models result in better outcomes for the community. Unfortunately, the Hobart City Deal was a missed opportunity for all levels of government to work together to address the housing crisis.
However, I do support the principles of working together across municipalities for the benefit of the whole community as outlined in the Greater Hobart Act 2019. By working together we can ensure a coordinated strategy to address the housing crisis. I also recognize that all levels of government have a role to play inproviding solutions to the housing crisis.
As a fresh Local Government face I accept that:
• An increase in supply of housing in all sectors of the market is needed to alleviate housing and cost of living pressures
• A broader range of housing across Hobart is required to meet a diverse range of needs
• There is a paucity of crisis housing for people escaping domestic violence
• Urban infill is a priority compared to urban sprawl
• Commercial entities developing infill must contribute to public infrastructure to ensure its success.
Ryan.