A Crown land subdivision rezoned seven years ago to boost housing supply is yet to produce a single home, frustrating those in Tasmania’s construction sector.
The 450-lot Huntingfield development, south of Hobart, was fast-tracked by the state government as part of its response to the housing crisis.
The first lots became available to purchase in 2022, but three years later none have been delivered.
Independent MP David O’Byrne said Homes Tasmania had created unnecessary barriers through “convoluted tendering processes and impractical design requirements”.
“This project is another example of Homes Tasmania’s utter failure to deliver homes more quickly,” he said.
Builders already pre-approved on Homes Tasmania’s panel have been put through extra expressions of interest processes to work on the project, with submissions costing upwards of $30,000 each.
“Smaller companies who cannot absorb these costs have simply walked away,” O’Byrne said.
Government minister Bridget Archer defended the state’s overall housing record but referred questions about the Huntingfield delays.
She said the government remained on track to deliver 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2032.
“We’re committed to that and we’re continuing to work towards meeting those targets,” she said.
Homes Tasmania said people were invited to register their interest in purchasing land at Huntingfield in September.
It said the first 33 lots in stage one would go to market before the end of the year, with another 170 to follow from early 2026.
“This development will provide more home ownership opportunities for people in southern Tasmania as well as future social homes,” they said.
“Pre-designed house and land packages will simplify the building process for new homeowners, improving certainty around planning approvals and ensuring Huntingfield remains a high-quality housing development.”
O’Byrne said housing construction had slowed since Homes Tasmania was established, while public housing waiting lists continued to grow.
He is calling for the government to take direct control of housing again.
“I will continue to argue that the only way for the government to get public housing on track and increasing housing supply is to admit defeat and bring housing back under direct government oversight,” he said.
