Work will start soon on a St Vincent de Paul Society social housing project for vulnerable older women in North Hobart after the design was amended through an appeals process. Source: The Mercury.
Housing advocates were outraged when the Hobart City Council last May rejected plans for 38 studio apartments at 210-218 Argyle Street despite a recommendation from its own planning experts that the development should go ahead.
The council supported the $16.7 million development in July but some neighbours continued to put their opposition to the project before the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
After mediation, the design of the five-storey building has been changed with the overall height reduced, changes made to the colour palette and the rooftop redesigned to soften its visual appearance.
Vos Construction will build the apartments which are being developed in partnership by St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia and the St Vincent de Paul Society (Tasmania), supported by Homes Tasmania through the federal Government’s social housing accelerator program.
St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia chief executive Graham West said he was pleased to be going ahead with construction and the new units would make a real difference to women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“As the community housing provider of the St Vincent de Paul Society, we are proud to be working with Homes Tasmania, the federal Government, Homes Australia and City of Hobart to deliver this project,” he said.
“The building will provide 38 women with safe and affordable housing right in Hobart, close to services, shops and their communities.”
St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania state president Corey McGrath said the good works in this project aligned with the society’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities it served.
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St Vincent de Paul soon to begin work on social housing apartments for older women (By Sue Bailey, The Mercury)
