The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) has welcomed new Federal Government commitments aimed at unlocking thousands of homes in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory through targeted enabling infrastructure investment.
The announcements are expected to support around 4000 homes in Tasmania and 4900 homes in the ACT, helping to bring forward housing supply in both greenfield and established urban areas.
PIA National Head of Policy and Advocacy, Nicole Bennetts, said the investments reflect a focus on delivering housing in well-planned communities.
“Everyone deserves a home in a great community, and these announcements are a practical step towards making that happen,” Ms Bennetts said.
“Australia needs more homes, but they need to be delivered in the right places, with the infrastructure, services and amenity that communities expect.”
Ms Bennetts said planning plays a central role in converting identified housing supply into delivered communities.
“Planning is how we enable the right homes in the right places, connected to jobs, transport, schools and services,” she said.
“What we’re seeing in both Tasmania and the ACT is investment that helps bridge the gap between planned housing supply and delivery.”
The institute said the Tasmanian investment highlights the role of enabling infrastructure in supporting new communities, particularly in areas long identified for growth.
“These areas have been identified for development, but without essential infrastructure, housing cannot proceed at the required scale,” Ms Bennetts said.
She added that the ACT announcement demonstrates how infrastructure constraints can also impact delivery in more complex urban environments.
“Infrastructure challenges such as power relocation, water management and servicing costs can delay housing, even where planning is already in place,” she said.
“Targeted investment helps unlock both new estates and urban renewal opportunities, close to jobs, services and transport.”
PIA said aligning infrastructure funding with long-term planning will be critical to improving housing outcomes.
“Great communities don’t happen by accident – they are the result of good planning, coordinated investment and long-term thinking,” Ms Bennetts said.
The organisation said it will continue working with governments to support housing delivery aligned with infrastructure, services and community needs.
