A former Defence facility on Hobart’s eastern shore could make way for 75 new homes under a $24 million redevelopment proposal.
Homes Tasmania has lodged plans to demolish the existing buildings at 155 Cambridge Road in Warrane and replace them with seven apartment and townhouse buildings, some up to four storeys high.
The development would provide 49 two-bedroom and 26 one-bedroom social and affordable rental homes, along with communal gardens, courtyards and balconies.
The plans include 58 car parking spaces, compared with the 144 normally required under the planning scheme.
A traffic report argues the reduced parking would be enough because social and affordable housing tenants generally have lower rates of car ownership.
The traffic report estimates the development could generate around 170 vehicle movements a day, rising to 276 under standard private housing assumptions.
Vehicles would enter and leave through a new driveway off Quarry Road, closer to the Cambridge Road intersection.
The development also exceeds the planning scheme’s usual residential density and building envelope requirements, while some private outdoor areas would be smaller than normally required.
Planning consultants argue the site’s slope, building setbacks and landscaping would help limit the impact on neighbouring homes.
Environmental investigations have also identified contamination at the former Defence facility, including PFAS chemicals in shallow soil and petroleum hydrocarbons in sludge from a former vehicle wash-bay system.
A remediation plan has been prepared to remove or manage affected materials, with further testing needed to confirm the site is suitable for residential use.
Homes Tasmania bought the 8,588-square-metre site from the Department of Defence for $2.6 million in July 2025.
It was rezoned from community purpose to inner residential in May to allow housing development.
Homes Tasmania says the project would help address demand for smaller rental homes in Clarence, with the site located close to shops, schools and public transport.
The development application is open for public comment, with submissions to the Clarence City Council closing on November 18.
