The Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (the Institute) welcomes the Hobart Inner City Housing Supply Incentive Policy as an important step in addressing the city’s housing supply challenges.
The Institute recently made a submission to the City of Hobart’s Housing Action Plan, highlighting practical, design-led approaches to increasing supply while improving affordability and liveability outcomes. The Institute has also previously called for incentives to encourage density and urban consolidation in order to house growing populations in existing urban areas, and has encouraged the use of existing building stock, including the utilisation of upper-levels of existing buildings within the Hobart CBD for housing.
Tasmanian Chapter President, Daniel Lane, said the focus on unlocking underutilised buildings, including upper-level conversions, is a positive measure. “Making better use of existing buildings is a practical way to deliver new homes, while strengthening the vitality of the city centre. With the right design quality, performance standards and clear delivery pathways, this Policy can help ensure new housing meets the needs of Hobart’s growing community.”
“While this will hopefully provide much-needed assistance in the provision of inner-city housing, further incentives from other permit authorities, and levels of government, may be required to ensure that the required compliance and safety is met,” says Daniel Lane.
You can read the Institute’s submission to the Hobart Housing Action Plan here.
Cover image: Loft for Forward & Dopson | Forward Consultants and Tristan Forward | Photographer: Julien Scheffer
Media contact:
Fiona McMullen – Chapter Operations Lead, Tasmanian Chapter
+ 61 (3) 6214 1507
fiona.mcmullen@architecture.com.au