A re-elected Liberal government will expand the ModHomes Program, delivering 200 more homes in a bid to ease Tasmania’s housing shortage, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.
He said the expansion would speed up housing delivery using modular construction, a method that takes half the time of traditional builds and costs around 70% of standard construction.
“We are working on getting Tasmanians more homes sooner,” Rockliff said.
“This approach makes better use of available land while avoiding weather delays and keeping projects on track.”
The modular units are constructed off-site in approximately six weeks, then installed and completed on-site within just 14 weeks, significantly reducing delivery timeframes.
The Liberal Party also plans to extend the payroll tax rebate for apprentices, aiming to boost workforce development in the building sector.
“Importantly, the program supports local jobs and training opportunities, helping to build a stronger construction workforce while accelerating the delivery of much-needed homes,” Rockliff added.
The Property Council of Australia has backed the announcement, with Tasmanian Executive Director Rebecca Ellston pointing to the benefits of prefabricated builds.
“Modular and prefabricated housing offers an opportunity to address housing affordability while bringing fresh innovation to the construction sector,” Ellston said.
“These homes can be delivered faster, to consistently high standards and with strong sustainability and safety credentials.
The expanded program will be delivered through Homes Tasmania.
Ellston believes the program will create stability for the construction industry.
“This initiative will help create a strong, sustainable pipeline of work, giving both public and private investors the confidence to scale up and deliver more innovative housing solutions for Tasmanians,” she said.
