The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) says the State Government’s Tasmanian Housing Strategy – Exposure Draft has failed to fully analyse the housing crisis and ignored well-known local government challenges and the needs required to deliver solutions.
The LGAT’s submission on the draft strategy – released this week – follows consultation with all of the state’s 29 councils.
As part of its consultation efforts, the Association undertook workshops with council planning and community development staff.
“This collaboration has allowed us to prepare a comprehensive submission that represents the sector and highlights key recommendations for improvement,” LGAT said in a statement.
The submission recommendations include:
- A review of local government infrastructure financing and development contributions;
- Helping communities navigate growth and change by the State Government leading a communication program on housing and managing growth;
- Finding ways to support and accelerate the strategic planning reforms through to completion, and ensuring planning reforms reflect both State Government and local government housing needs;
- Building better collaboration between local government and crisis housing organisations;
- Building State Government understanding of local government needs in delivering housing;
- Seeking to action the recommendations of the Toward Infill Housing Development Report.
“Councils are the primary managers of growth in Tasmania and do almost all of the strategic land use planning for the state,” said LGAT in a statement.
“It is councils who are dealing with the consequences of the housing crisis on a daily basis. Local government is keen for solutions and recognises that coordination with the State Government will deliver results for Tasmanian communities.”
