Tasmanian Minister for Housing and Construction, Nic Street, has welcomed Clarence City Council’s decision to proceed with a 2,500 home development on the Droughty Point Peninsula.
“We know that we need more homes to accommodate a growing Tasmania and I applaud the decision to support this well-planned proposal,” Minister Street said.
He said the Skylands Masterplan will unlock around 2,500 new homes, including more social and affordable housing, as well as stimulating further economic investment, providing community space and social infrastructure.
“It’s a wonderful future vision. This is a significant move and I congratulate the Clarence City Council on their willingness to get on with the job and make bold decisions like this that will have real and positive impacts for the wider Eastern Shore community, and Tasmania more broadly,” said Minister Street.
“The Government has responded to the housing challenge by delivering the most ambitious and comprehensive housing plan in the State’s history – our 20-year Tasmanian Housing Strategy – including our record investment in delivering social and affordable housing, backed by our commitment to deliver 10,000 more social and affordable homes by 2032.
“This is underpinned by the principle that increasing housing supply is critical, an approach supported by the community sector and industry experts. Skylands will do just that: it will add more housing supply.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government is getting on with the job of delivering our long-term housing plan, and Clarence City Council’s strong decision to proceed with the Skylands development is very welcome.”
Council will now undertake the development of a structure plan for the staged development of undeveloped land based on the masterplan.
Mayor, Brendan Blomeley said Council will work with the community and the proponents to continue developing this plan to ensure a long-term, sustainable solution.
“Skylands is an exciting development for Tasmania, let alone Clarence,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“This development has the potential to be at the forefront of urban planning, and is a great opportunity for the City of Clarence.
“Developing a greenfield site of this size could allow for the absolute best practice in modern planning, creating connected communities and a better lifestyle.
“The Skylands Masterplan could deliver a style of living unlike anywhere else in Tasmania, and a national-leading example modern urban development.”
Mayor Blomeley said the masterplan was transformational in its design, “this new urbanism with walkable communities, breaking the mould of the 1970s-style urban sprawl Tasmania has experienced for decades”.
“This plan delivers over seven-times the open space required of a development of this kind and there provides provisions for schools, shopping facilities and essential services.
“This is a development we need to keep with the growing demands of our city,” he said.
Council says it will undertake further community engagement activities to inform the development of the structure plan, and prepare information and fact sheets on the Skylands Masterplan which will be made available to the community.