Housing Minister Roger Jaensch has identied 155 new lots in Northern Tasmania earmarked for new housing developments and said talks with landowners on city sites were expected to begin.

Shelter Tas executive officer Pattie Chugg welcomed the developments, but urged only completed dwellings will make a difference on the ground as rents continue to rise.

“While not as severe as in the South, there is a clear trend towards unaffordability in the North,” Ms Chugg said.

“This means that across Tasmania there is no relief in sight for rental affordability.

Mr Jaensch said the 155 new lots and developments would be made available in the next financial year.

“Shelter Tas’ election priorities called for an increase in affordable rental housing, improved security for private renters, and better use of our planning system to plan for affordable housing,” Mrs Chugg said.

“The need is urgent, and while we welcome the release of land lots for new building, only completed dwellings that are affordably priced in the long term will make a difference on the ground.”

Mr Jaensch said the delivery would come under stage one of their affordable housing plan, as the second stage gets underway following talks with regional stakeholders in September.

“Housing Tasmania is currently preparing to initiate further discussions with owners of various sites across Launceston identified as suitable for residential development,” he said.

“We anticipate an approximate delivery of 115 new lots and dwellings in the North over this financial year.

“With stage one on track to assist over 1600 Tasmanian households by June, including supply of 941 new affordable lots and homes, stage two is currently being prepared.”

In March this year, following a summit to identify solutions to the state’s housing crisis, six Launceston properties were identified as areas where rezoning could open affordable housing options.

This followed a report on land reviews released by the government which outlined 139 hectares across the state suitable for residential development.

That figure included almost 38 hectares in Launceston, across land at the Technopark precinct at Kings Meadows, Resevoir Road and Archer Street at Rocherlea, Wildor Crescent at Ravenswood, Penquite Road at Norwood, and five hectares at the current University of Tasmania Newnham Campus.

Three properties across almost 35 hectares were also been earmarked for affordable housing in Burnie.

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