Construction is officially underway on a 460-lot development at Huntingfield,south of Hobart, which the government are coining as one of Tasmania’s newest suburbs.
Of the 43 lots released so far in stage one, 10 have settled and building has begun, with four homes currently under construction and another four expected to start within weeks.
Housing and Planning Minister Kerry Vincent said it was encouraging to see progress at the site.
“Huntingfield is a prime example of where we need to deliver more medium-density houses,” Vincent said.
“When completed, it will effectively be Tasmania’s newest suburb, offering a range of buyers the potential to get a roof over their head in this prime location.”
The first 33 lots were released in December, followed by a second release of 10 lots this month.
Three additional lots from the latest release will be set aside for social and affordable housing, which is expected to make up 15 to 20 per cent of the finished development.
Vincent said the total project was worth around $150 million, with roughly $58 million spent so far.
He encouraged potential buyers to check their eligibility for the state government’s $20,000 First Home Owner Grant.
“It has been well canvassed that the site has experienced issues, but we can’t allow this to cloud the current circumstances,” he said.
“We are building more houses right here at a rate of knots.”
Homes Tasmania chief executive Ben Wilson said the first completed homes were expected by November or December.
He said the full 460-lot subdivision would likely take three to five years or more to finish.
“We hope that every Tasmanian looks at this area as a place to live,” Wilson said, noting the development would include a mix of lot sizes and house types to suit first home buyers, retirees and families.
Daniel Elliot, director of local builder Tassie Homes, said the project was significant for small businesses in the area.
“With where we’re at in Tasmania with land availability, something like this is huge for a business like us,” Elliot said.
The new government agency Building Tasmania is due to begin operations on Thursday, replacing the Department of State Growth and Homes Tasmania to manage housing and infrastructure delivery under a new unified body.
