Devonport City Council is calling on community input for its Residential Growth Strategy which is set to provide overarching strategic policy direction for residential growth in greater Devonport for the next 20 years.
Devonport Mayor, Annette Rockliff said the Strategy includes an aspirational target for population growth and represents a plan for continued growth that builds on momentum generated by Council’s LIVING CITY urban renewal initiative.
With a current estimated population of 25,747 people, Mayor Rockliff said the Strategy endorses population growth targets of 30,000 by 2030 and 35,000 by 2040.
“Population growth is an important factor for cities like Devonport, and what we have is a strategy that embraces aspirational population growth to recognise and enhance Devonport’s status as the major population centre in the North-West of Tasmania,” Mayor Rockliff said.
“It also helps us to continue to promote Devonport as an attractive and prominent destination to live, work and invest.
“The Strategy is based around five central policy directions for aspirational population growth; residential land supply; strategic direction for future residential growth; providing diversity in housing options; and monitoring and review.
“Following the strategic direction for residential growth endorsed through this 20-year plan, Council will continue to encourage appropriate economic development opportunities that support population growth and promote Devonport as an attractive place for investment and to facilitate increased employment opportunities.”
Mayor Rockliff said the Strategy recognises that existing residential land supply is a critical issue and a significant impediment to population growth within greater Devonport.
She said the identification of appropriate new residential land represents the major platform towards accommodating future growth.
“The greater Devonport area is not immune to the growing pressures in housing accessibility and affordability.”
“Increasing the supply of residential land to enable an increase in dwelling stock, and also encouraging a range of dwelling types and densities, is also considered to positively influence both housing affordability and accessibility.
“That increased supply will likely contribute towards downward pressure on these factors.
“Whilst the Strategy includes policy directions and implementation measures designed to assist with increasing residential land supplies, it is important to understand that the adoption of the Strategy by itself does not immediately remedy land supply issues to accommodate residential growth.
“The release of new land for residential growth can be a complex issue which includes one consideration of the willingness of landowners to make land available for release, and also relevant statutory/legislative processes.
“The strategy is designed as a policy and advocacy tool that will form an important part of the conversation around addressing land supply issues,” she said.
The Greater Devonport Residential Growth Strategy (2021-2041) is available via Council’s Speak Up Devonport webpage at https://www.devonport.tas.gov.au/council/get-involved/speak-up-devonport/.