Devonport’s new youth accommodation and land supply project got underway today, with the turning of the first sod.
The project will consist of 23 fully serviced residential lots, which will provide for affordable housing in a prime location, a youth accommodation centre and a group home for people living with disability.
Two major project milestones on the project have already been achieved with the awarding of the civil construction works for the subdivision and planning approval received from Devonport City Council.
Congratulations to both 6ty° who designed the subdivision and Loop Architecture who designed the youth accommodation, for getting these projects approved and ready to start in record time.
We will release a tender to build the youth accommodation in the next two weeks and expect building to start by the end of December.
The supported youth accommodation centre will be home to 25 young people aged 16 to 25, on low incomes, or are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The 25 unit centre will include five purpose-built units for young people living with disability who are under the NDIS, with a further four units adaptable if needed.
The centre will also provide:
* a caretaker’s residence
* communal areas including lounges, kitchen and dining rooms
* administration and office space
* consulting rooms for visiting services
* space for a social enterprise business
Local community leaders have been central to this project and I would like to single out one in particular, Royce Fairbrother, who has been a driving force behind the youth accommodation facility since the very beginning.
These community leaders have committed to working with the centre’s service provider to give young residents access to work experience and employment opportunities.
This group will also lead the development of a social enterprise business to run on site to provide training and employment opportunities for the youth, as well as generating additional revenue for the centre.
The remaining 21 lots will be placed on the open market early next year for purchase, including under the Tasmanian Government’s HomeShare Scheme.
Over the project, we expect the subdivision to deliver more than $13 million in construction activity and to create 100 jobs for the local community.
Ulverstone-based Hardings Hotmix will deliver the $700,000 subdivision works employing 10 local workers.
Building more housing for those in need is a major focus for the Hodgman Liberal Government and the funding for this project is on top of our $73.5 million being spent under our Affordable Housing Action Plan.