“The Budget includes around $900 million for housing over the next four years,” said HIA Executive Director Benjamin Price. “This is a welcome continuation of funding for housing delivery, particularly given the significant demand for new homes across Tasmania.”

However, HIA expressed serious concern that funding for the State Planning Office has been more than halved, despite the Government’s stated commitment to ambitious planning reform.

“The Budget suggests a significant and alarming reduction in funding for the State Planning Office, which will severely weaken Tasmania’s planning reform capability,” Mr Price said.

“This makes clear that with the future creation of Building Tasmania, strategic planning capability must be a focus, to achieve the Government’s planning reforms.”
HIA said Building Tasmania is a positive and much needed reform for the housing industry, bringing infrastructure delivery, strategic land use planning and housing delivery under one roof. However, its success will depend on having the right people, systems and capability in place.

“Planning reform cannot succeed without adequate resourcing,” Mr Price said. “Under resourcing the State Planning Office risks delays, bottlenecks and uncertainty for housing projects and other critical development across the state.”

First Home Owner Grant uplift supports new home construction

HIA welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the First Home Owner Grant for Tasmanians building their first home from $10,000 to $20,000, describing it as a practical and timely measure to support new housing supply.

“Continuing a modest uplift to the First Home Owner Grant for new builds sends an important signal that the Government understands the need to stimulate housing supply,” Mr Price said.

“This measure will help more Tasmanians overcome the upfront costs of building a home and will directly support local builders, tradies and suppliers across the state.”
Mr Price also noted that the conclusion of the ‘stamping out stamp duty’ concessions for first home buyers purchasing existing homes would help rebalance incentives towards new construction.

“Ending stamp duty concessions for established homes helps level the playing field and encourages more first home buyers to build new homes, which is critical to increasing overall housing supply,” he said.

“HIA stands ready to work with the Government to ensure planning reform, housing delivery and infrastructure investment are properly aligned. With the right resourcing and commitment, Tasmania can turn this Budget into a platform for faster approvals, stronger industry confidence and more homes for Tasmanians.”

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