“For many years, Tasmania’s demand for housing has not been met with sufficient supply, resulting in significant stresses on families and households in both the private and public housing market.

“Increasing supply is the key to addressing the housing and rental market problem and we need policies that support this.

“Attempts to block the release of the UTAS Sandy Bay campus for sensible residential development that could support a mix of housing including medium-density, presents a significant backward step in solving Tasmania’s housing supply issues.

“The UTAS’ 2021 Sandy Bay site masterplan included the development of practical and thoughtful precincts, featuring 2,500 homes, retirement living and aged care, tourism and a bushland reserve. The site is also able to utilise existing infrastructure, speeding up the development process and saving cost.

“Recent election commitments to support new earthworks and civil construction training facilities are supported, however, they will not assist with easing housing pressures for young Tasmanians or families.

“An incoming government must continue to invest in traditional construction training and apprenticeships, and provide support to the Vocational Education and Training system to both TasTAFE and private training providers.

“Rather than policies that will have an adverse impact on housing supply for Tasmania, we call on all parties to focus on housing policies to ease housing constraints, increase supply and support industry to build for Tasmania’s future.

“The residential construction sector is ready and equipped to continue to build the housing of the future for Tasmanians, to meet the demand for new homes and to ease the crisis impacting on many Tasmanian families,” concluded Mr Collins.

For more information please contact: