Plans for pre-cast concrete homes to ease Tasmania's housing shortage
The factory in charge of producing concrete segments for the Bridgewater bridge will soon be able to create pre-cast concrete for housing.
Transcript
00:00Precast concrete segments are a key part of the new Bridgewater Bridge.
00:05They're made at a factory nearby.
00:08The factory's owner hopes precast concrete could also help tackle the housing crisis.
00:13It's by far the largest infrastructure set up to do, if you like, social housing infrastructure in Australia.
00:21David Marinar is planning a housing development at the former site of Kensington Park Racecourse at New Norfolk.
00:28There would be up to 300 homes, including a blend of affordable and upmarket housing.
00:34Mr Marinar says building the homes with precast concrete will make them cheaper to build and live in.
00:40Your energy costs, your maintenance costs and the structural cost of living will be reduced.
00:48The Derwent Valley Council is enthusiastic, hoping the development will help meet demand for affordable housing in the area.
00:55It can be produced at a rate and at a scale that is required to meet the need, which is so important.
01:02We're not keeping up with the housing need that we have, let alone the projection of what's to come.
01:07The project will also include the expansion of the concrete factory to accommodate the shift to precast housing
01:13and the development of a multi-trade training college to train workers to help ease labour shortages.
01:19So there is a real need to bring our youth in our training and give them the benefit that the mainlanders are currently enjoying.
01:27Housing experts agree extra supply is needed, but recommend a long-term and holistic approach to solving Tasmania's housing shortfall.
01:36I think this is a good solution and I also think that we need other policies and strategies in place.
01:45Working on a fix for housing and skills shortages.
01:49For more UN videos visit www.un.org