Question - Former Launceston Nurses Home Building

Thursday 30 March 2023

Ms ARMITAGE question to DEPUTY LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms PALMER

[3.04 p.m.]

Regarding the disused Launceston nurses home building, owned by the Department of Health in Launceston, and in follow-up to the answers provided to me regarding this building in November 2022, can the Deputy Leader please advise:

(1)     What progress has been made towards the signing of a future use for this building, in conjunction with the Launceston General Hospital Masterplan;

(2)     what specific capital works would be required to bring the nurses home building up to a standard suitable for occupancy and to comply with the Building Code; and

(3)     whether there any further properties in the Launceston area, that are being considered for community housing?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for the question.

(1)     During February this year, the Department of Health undertook an assessment on a number of sites, including the nurses home building, to determine suitability for the recently announced Launceston hospice.   The findings of the assessments are currently being considered.

(2)     An engineering assessment, as part of the LGH Masterplan, determined that the nurses home building would require a complete refurbishment to bring the building up to a standard suitable for any form of occupancy, and to comply with the Building Code.  The above assessment is giving consideration to the anticipated costs of a complete refurbishment.

(3)     Homes Tasmania continues to review and acquire property with strategic value for the development of social and affordable housing in the Launceston area.  The development pipeline for the Launceston local government area (LGA) includes:

·         126 new dwellings within the Launceston LGA;

·         30 supported accommodation places, Thyne House dispersed youth homes, Anglicare mental health care units and NDS exceptional needs;

·         Land release projects for 298 lots at Rocherlea, Techno Park and Ravenswood to increase private land ownership opportunities and the provision of new land for social housing development of around 15 per cent of these lots. 

          As announced in the Premier's address, the Tasmanian Government is working closely with local government to identify and progress appropriate land for residential development.