Homes Tasmania lodges $24m, 75-home plan for Warrane Defence site

The plan is to demolish what stands there and build seven apartment and townhouse buildings, some reaching four storeys. Pulse Tasmania reports Homes Tasmania believes the project would answer demand for smaller rentals in Clarence, given the site’s closeness to shops, schools and public transport.

The numbers

• 75 homes in total: 49 two-bedroom and 26 one-bedroom social and affordable rentals.
• $24 million project value, as reported by Pulse Tasmania.
• 58 car parking spaces, against 144 normally required under the planning scheme.
• About 170 vehicle movements a day estimated in the traffic report, rising to 276 under standard private housing assumptions.

Pulse Tasmania says the traffic report holds the lower parking is adequate because social and affordable housing tenants tend to own fewer cars. A new driveway off Quarry Road, nearer the Cambridge Road intersection, would serve vehicles.

Pulse Tasmania also reports that the proposal goes beyond the scheme’s usual density and building envelope limits, and that some private outdoor areas fall short of the normal size. Planning consultants contend that the slope, setbacks and landscaping would limit effects on neighbours. Plans include communal gardens, courtyards and balconies.

What’s next

Pulse Tasmania reports that environmental testing found two contaminants: PFAS in shallow soil, and petroleum hydrocarbons in sludge left by an old vehicle wash-bay system. A remediation plan covers removing or managing the affected material, but further testing must confirm the site is fit for housing.

The application is a lodged proposal only. Submissions to Clarence City Council close on 18 November, and no decision has been reported.

Related Tasmanian social housing coverage: Vos Construction building 20 social homes at Westbury.