Login
ISCOVER
Tasmania has invited the public to review its housing legislation, as it pledges to increase supply of social and affordable housing.
As Australians come to terms with the rising cost of living following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s second rate rise to 85 bps in the past two months, Tasmania’s government invites the public to have their say on its draft housing authority legislation as it seeks to address housing affordability concerns.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Looking for more benefits? Become a Premium Member.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Looking for more benefits? Become a Premium Member.
It comes following the government’s announcement of its new statutory authority, to form the cornerstone of its 10-year $1.5 billion housing package that “will deliver 10,000 new homes by 2032” and create a “cohesive housing and homelessness service”.
As part of the government’s delivery, the consultation drafts Housing Tasmania Bill 2022 and the Housing Tasmania (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 are now open to the public until 5 July 2022.
Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, Guy Barnett, said the government is committed to providing opportunities for community involvement in the development and ongoing review of its policy and legislation.
“The consultation drafts make a number of changes including establishing a skills-based board for the Housing Authority and providing it with the powers and functions needed to meet the housing commitments made by the government,” Mr Barnett said.
Over the next decade, the not-for-profit authority will be tasked with building and acquiring an additional 6,500 homes and units on top of the government’s current target of 3,500, which leads to a total of 10,000 new dwellings by 2032.
The initiative will extend the government’s existing $615 million program, which has aimed to deliver 3,500 new dwellings by 2026-27.
Another core function of the authority will be to ensure the needs of vulnerable Tasmanians are met through homelessness services.
It will also have powers and responsibilities to allow it to effectively acquire, develop and manage housing and urban renewal projects.
Subject to the outcome of this legislation the authority will commence on 1 October 2022.
In the government’s efforts to boost housing supply, it pledged to double its Residential Land Rebate from $15 million to $30 million, offering developers rebates of up to $10,000 towards upfront costs.
The government also previously announced a rise to the maximum property price across the stamp duty first home owner concessions to $600,000 and extended its first home buyer grant of $30,000 until 2023, for buyers securing a newly built home.
[Related: Tasmania budget reveals greater investment to FHB, supply schemes]
JOIN THE DISCUSSION