The Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed the recent joint State and Federal Government announcement regarding the redevelopment of the Dowsing Point Defence site, describing it as a significant opportunity to deliver well-designed, higher-density housing for Greater Hobart.
Tasmanian Chapter President Daniel Lane said the project had the potential to become a nationally significant example of how surplus government land can support housing supply while creating a connected, liveable and sustainable community.
“The scale and location of the Dowsing Point site presents a rare opportunity to deliver the ‘missing middle’ housing Tasmania urgently needs — medium-density homes that provide greater housing choice while supporting community life, public transport and local services,” Mr Lane said.
“The Institute is encouraged to see a vision emerging for increased density on this site, rather than continued low-density suburban sprawl. Well-designed multi-residential housing can deliver better social, environmental and economic outcomes for Tasmania.”
The Institute said achieving these outcomes would depend on a strong master planning process led by appropriately qualified built environment professionals, including architects, planners, urban designers and landscape architects. This, coupled with considered costing strategies undertaken from the outset to inform both building and service-related requirements, would help ensure the viability of the development.
“Projects of this scale require a coordinated and design-led approach from the outset,” Mr Lane said.
“Early investment in professional master planning, meaningful community engagement, infrastructure planning and independent design review will be critical to ensuring this becomes a genuinely liveable and enduring neighbourhood.”
The Institute noted that the redevelopment aligns with recommendations made in several recent Senate submissions, including its submission to the Inquiry into the Management of Defence Estate Assets and its submission to the Inquiry into Intergenerational Housing Inequity, both of which emphasised the importance of housing diversity and quality, long-term affordability and early-stage design-led thinking.
The Institute also highlighted the importance of building industry capability to support higher-density housing delivery in Tasmania.
“To meet Tasmania’s future housing needs, we must continue building local capability in medium and higher-density residential construction,” Mr Lane said.
“This project represents an opportunity not only to deliver more homes, but also to strengthen Tasmania’s design, construction and development sectors through more sophisticated multi-residential projects.”
The Australian Institute of Architects said it looked forward to continuing discussions with government and stakeholders as planning for the site progresses.
Cover image: The Rox Apartments | Core Collective Architects | Photographer: Aaron Jones
Media contacts:
Jennifer Nichols – Executive Director, Tasmanian Chapter
0409 216 526