LAUNCESTON has the potential to position itself as Australia's affordable housing city if it can attract businesses, institutions and innovators, Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says. Senator Whish-Wilson has set up a Senate inquiry into Australia's regional capitals, which he said he hoped would be used to direct future government policies about cities like Launceston. He said he agreed with Bass MHR Andrew Nikolic about the attractiveness and price competitiveness of the city as a place to live. "Provided the IT infrastructure is there, people could come and work in Launceston just like they would anywhere else in the country," Senator Whish-Wilson said. "Because it's clean, it's safe, it's affordable and it's a beautiful place, there's wilderness and sports like mountain biking, it is very attractive to young people. "All they need is a place to come and work - even if it's for a couple of months a year." Senator Whish-Wilson said the Macquarie House Innovation Hub was an example of how Launceston could attract young innovators and start-up companies. "This is the infrastructure we need to create new businesses, new industries and keep young people in Launceston," he said. In a submission to the inquiry, Premier Will Hodgman pointed out that all Tasmanian cities had potential to grow without the headaches of larger cities on the mainland. "Unlike some other Australian jurisdictions, there are no major physical or resourcing constraints to population growth in Tasmania," he said. "For example, Tasmania does not have any shortages of land or water for household use in the regional capitals where most population growth is likely to occur." Senator Whish-Wilson said he hopes to hold inquiry hearings in Launceston later this year.
LAUNCESTON has the potential to position itself as Australia's affordable housing city if it can attract businesses, institutions and innovators, Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson says.
Senator Whish-Wilson has set up a Senate inquiry into Australia's regional capitals, which he said he hoped would be used to direct future government policies about cities like Launceston.
He said he agreed with Bass MHR Andrew Nikolic about the attractiveness and price competitiveness of the city as a place to live.
"Provided the IT infrastructure is there, people could come and work in Launceston just like they would anywhere else in the country," Senator Whish-Wilson said.
"Because it's clean, it's safe, it's affordable and it's a beautiful place, there's wilderness and sports like mountain biking, it is very attractive to young people.
"All they need is a place to come and work - even if it's for a couple of months a year."
Senator Whish-Wilson said the Macquarie House Innovation Hub was an example of how Launceston could attract young innovators and start-up companies.
"This is the infrastructure we need to create new businesses, new industries and keep young people in Launceston," he said.
In a submission to the inquiry, Premier Will Hodgman pointed out that all Tasmanian cities had potential to grow without the headaches of larger cities on the mainland.
"Unlike some other Australian jurisdictions, there are no major physical or resourcing constraints to population growth in Tasmania," he said.
"For example, Tasmania does not have any shortages of land or water for household use in the regional capitals where most population growth is likely to occur."
Senator Whish-Wilson said he hopes to hold inquiry hearings in Launceston later this year.
