Almost a year after passing a Housing Supply Land Order (HLSO) for Howrah to fast-track the delivery of affordable housing options, the minority Liberal government still has nothing to show for it.
The HLSO for Merindah Street in Howrah was made on 21 December 2022, with the government saying subdivision work to create much-needed housing was expected to be completed by mid-2023.
But true to form there has been no progress since then and, nine months on, the site remains empty, unused and in limbo.
In response to Labor’s Question on Notice the Housing Minister Nic Street said the land is owned by the Crown, managed by the Department of State Growth, and Homes Tasmania is still awaiting subdivision, creation of title and transfer to its portfolio.
Damningly, because of the stalled process, Mr Street was unable to provide answers to three other questions about the mix of affordable, social and/or market-rate housing on the site, the engagement of a Commonwealth Housing Provider or the expected date of completion of any housing on the site.
This behaviour is typical of the Liberals – an announcement of action that is never delivered so the government can try to fool Tasmanians into thinking they are doing something.
Labor is focussed on policies that will make a real difference to Tasmanians’ lives.
Under Labor’s Build to Rent program, Tasmania would see an increase of at least 1,000 additional private rental homes enter the market within the first five years and stay in the private rental market for 30 years. This is on top of the 10,000 social and government homes by 2032.
Labor will also provide a short-term solution for hundreds of Tasmanians by urgently repairing the 215 government houses that remain untenantable and therefore sitting empty – getting even more houses available sooner.
A State Labor Government will also expand the MyHome scheme and get more people into home ownership, driving the market for more new houses.
Tasmanians deserve a government that will prioritise housing and putting a roof over people’s heads – and only Labor has a plan to do so.
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Housing Minister
