The Tasmanian government has unlocked 615 hectares of land across greater Hobart, clearing the way for nearly 10,000 new homes to be delivered in the coming years.
The expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary follows public consultation held between February and March 2025. It includes areas across Brighton, Clarence, Kingborough, and Sorell—all key regions positioned around Hobart that are earmarked for population and housing growth.
The Urban Growth Boundary is a planning tool defined within the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy. It establishes clear limits for urban land use and helps guide future residential development by identifying growth areas that can be considered for rezoning by local councils and developers, realestate.com.au reported.
The land release supports Tasmania’s broader housing goals, including targets for social and affordable housing through the state’s recently formed Home Builder Panel, which aims to accelerate delivery and reduce construction delays.
Tasmanian Minister for Housing, Planning and Consumer Affairs Felix Ellis (pictured) said the land release would support sustainable growth across southern Tasmania.
“We’re backing in the builders, cutting red tape, and sending a clear message to the construction industry: Tassie is open for business and keen to get building,” Ellis said.
To ensure development is aligned with future needs, the state is also updating the Southern Tasmania Regional Land Use Strategy. Consultation on the revised strategy will begin within 100 days.
Industry leaders have welcomed the announcement, citing the urgent need to boost housing supply in the state, realestate.com.au reported.
Property Council of Australia executive director for Tasmania Rebecca Ellston said the expanded boundary could help address key growth barriers.
“Outdated Urban Growth Boundaries can hinder smart population growth, particularly at a time when our state needs new housing and the growth and economic stimulus this brings to the construction industry,” Ellston said.
Meanwhile, the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has flagged the move as timely. In its latest Housing Scorecard, Tasmania received a score of just 30 out of 100, placing it at the bottom of the national rankings for new home building and renovation activity.
“With Tasmania now rock-bottom on HIA’s Housing Scorecard... making more residential land available could not have come at a more important time,” said Stuart Collins, Tasmania executive director at the HIA.
“It is now up to the government to eliminate red tape and push this land through the subdivision approval process, to ensure it is brought to market expediently. In addition, government must also consider infill opportunities and housing densification as part of its broader housing solutions.”
The Urban Growth Boundary expansion is expected to support this momentum, particularly for social and affordable housing delivery.
