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FIRSTLY, this story has taken too long to be told and for the editorial space to be afforded it. Albeit that what has been published is significant, it is nowhere near enough. This story is in many ways a 'dead cat'!
Boris Johnson when he was London's mayor he wrote a column in The Telegraph which he described as the "dead cat" – a piece of Australian political strategy – used in a situation in which the argument is being lost and the facts are overwhelmingly against you.
Think about it, there is one thing that is absolutely certain about throwing a dead cat on the dining room table . Yes, people will be outraged, alarmed, disgusted and while that is true, it is totally irrelevant. The point being that everyone will shout, ‘Jeez, mate, there’s a dead cat on the table!’ Like they will be talking about the dead cat – the very thing that you want them to talk about. They will NOT be talking about the real issue that has been causing so much grief. What might that be?
Think about it, there is one thing that is absolutely certain about throwing a dead cat on the dining room table . Yes, people will be outraged, alarmed, disgusted and while that is true, it is totally irrelevant. The point being that everyone will shout, ‘Jeez, mate, there’s a dead cat on the table!’ Like they will be talking about the dead cat – the very thing that you want them to talk about. They will NOT be talking about the real issue that has been causing so much grief. What might that be?
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It has been said that the solution here is "POLITICAL" and that is only if 'the community' is disempowered. Mind you, that would be a bureaucraticIMPERATIVE come what may given all that these 'functionaries' have invested in the status quo.
Discrimination and multiple deprivations of human rights are so often a big part of the problem. In effect it sentences entire populations to poverty. It is surely a matter of outrage that over half a million women die annually from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Likewise, it is outrageous that internationally First Nations people are systematically discriminated against. Annual death tolls globally, arguably, are a direct reflection of the disempowerment of women, indigenous peoples et al in social, economic and political life.
Right now, and right here in Tasmania, the HOUSING CRISIS is attributable in large part to discriminative mindsets socially, culturally and politically. For example, right now in Launceston there is cluster 'heritage buildings' that have been deemed 'unusable'. The abandoned 'nurses accommodation' at LGH might well provide shelter for 'people suffering housing stress' but NO ... it looks for all the world like an opportunity-in-waiting for some politicalMATE or other!
Those euphemistically and collectively called 'the homeless' are seen as some kind of trouble maker or other who need to be "moved on"! Where to one might ask and let it not be my backyard ... the NIMBY factor.
Unless and until 'governance' and 'the community' engage, cooperate and collaborate there is no chance whatsoever for those in housing stress to fulfil their aspiration to avail themselves of the fundamental human right to make a 'place ... a home' for themselves. As the Dali Lama tells the world "home is where you feel at home and are treated well."
The City of Launceston formed a committee to address homelessness back in June 2022 and to date nothing has been achieved beyond appointing its members. As is the way with such committees, they meet until they determine that there is nothing that it can do. SO, bureaucratically ... JOB DONE!
Three quote to do with bureaucracy:
• ... Bureaucracy is like a fungus that contaminates everything. Jaime Lerner
• ...In any bureaucracy, there's a natural tendency to let the system become an excuse for inaction. Chris Fussell
• ...Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status. Laurence J. Peter
• ...In any bureaucracy, there's a natural tendency to let the system become an excuse for inaction. Chris Fussell
• ...Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status. Laurence J. Peter
Tasmania has thousands of residential houses sitting empty as the housing crisis worsen
By Alison Foletta
Updated February 11 2023 - 9:45pm, first published 12:00pm
'Shocked'; empty houses leaving Tasmanians behind
The housing crisis continues in Tasmania but data that has shown 2700 empty houses, has left people struggling to find a roof over their head "shocked".
Tenants Union Tasmania has asked for data from TasWater on houses left empty and its response for the City of Launceston municipality was 1192 empty houses in 2021, Hobart had 907 and Glenorchy had 610.
As Tasmanians continue to face rising rental and living costs, and struggling to find a rental, the Tenants Union wants to see the Tasmanian Government do more.
In a letter sent to the government on Friday, February 10, the union and with 12 other community organisations have pleaded with the government to make changes to ease the housing crisis. [That this situation has arisen it is proof positive that both the State Govt & Launceston Council have been and continue to, sit on their and waiting for someone else 'to do something' as Council in particular claims that it is not their gig... The level of ineptitude beggars belief!!]
This includes a possible empty homes levy being rolled out, as well as one-off incentives such as a one-year waiver of land tax or a capped no-interest loan to allow investors to bring their investment properties up to the minimum standards required under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Tas). [All well and good BUT its a bureaucratic response that is TOTALLY out of touch with realities on the ground]
Tasmanian University Student Association Northern campus president Ryan Stanaway said he and his housemates struggled to find housing after their former rental was left in disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.
Mr Stanaway is 20-years-old and moved from his family, friends and community in Cairns to study maritime engineering at UTAS, the only place in Australia to offer that degree.
"Last year I had my first rental," Mr Stanaway said.
"The place we got wasn't run particularly well. Then two or three months before our lease was up, they upped the rent by $50 without any maintenance improvements." [Surprise, surprise ... the greed-is-good syndrome kicks in while governance and its bureaucratic functionaries stand back ... How many might be 'property investors'? ... A question worth the asking!!]
Ryan Stanaway spent months trying to find a place to rent in Launceston. Picture by Paul Scambler
Mr Stanaway said it took the three months to find a place to rent, he said was "lucky" to find the place he did.
The newly renovated house is cheaper than his previous rental at $500 a week and there are five people living in the house.
Mr Stanaway said having housemates was cost effective but due to so many people in the same position, unable to find a place to live.
"Everyone is experiencing this, especially younger people who are new to the rental market," he said.
Mr Stanaway said the rental situation was "ridiculous" and was "shocked" about the empty houses. [Well they might be BUT talk to a 'TRADIE' and they might well tell you they have TRASHED empty house to repair ... IT IS A NICE little EARNER APPARENTLY]
"It's only going to get worse," Mr Stanaway said. [Well he right on the money while 'governance' sits on its hands crying out that it is beyond them ... If it is too hot in the kitchen GET OUT OF IT!!]
TUSA is one of 12 community organisations who have signed a letter to the government in hopes to see more done to reduce empty residential homes in Tasmania. [Well that'll work for sure!]
Principal solicitor Ben Bartl said Tasmania needed to utilise existing housing to tackle this issue. [ABSOLUTELY no ifs, no buts!!]
By Alison Foletta
Updated February 11 2023 - 9:45pm, first published 12:00pm
'Shocked'; empty houses leaving Tasmanians behind
The housing crisis continues in Tasmania but data that has shown 2700 empty houses, has left people struggling to find a roof over their head "shocked".
Tenants Union Tasmania has asked for data from TasWater on houses left empty and its response for the City of Launceston municipality was 1192 empty houses in 2021, Hobart had 907 and Glenorchy had 610.
As Tasmanians continue to face rising rental and living costs, and struggling to find a rental, the Tenants Union wants to see the Tasmanian Government do more.
In a letter sent to the government on Friday, February 10, the union and with 12 other community organisations have pleaded with the government to make changes to ease the housing crisis. [That this situation has arisen it is proof positive that both the State Govt & Launceston Council have been and continue to, sit on their and waiting for someone else 'to do something' as Council in particular claims that it is not their gig... The level of ineptitude beggars belief!!]
This includes a possible empty homes levy being rolled out, as well as one-off incentives such as a one-year waiver of land tax or a capped no-interest loan to allow investors to bring their investment properties up to the minimum standards required under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Tas). [All well and good BUT its a bureaucratic response that is TOTALLY out of touch with realities on the ground]
Tasmanian University Student Association Northern campus president Ryan Stanaway said he and his housemates struggled to find housing after their former rental was left in disrepair due to a lack of maintenance.
Mr Stanaway is 20-years-old and moved from his family, friends and community in Cairns to study maritime engineering at UTAS, the only place in Australia to offer that degree.
"Last year I had my first rental," Mr Stanaway said.
"The place we got wasn't run particularly well. Then two or three months before our lease was up, they upped the rent by $50 without any maintenance improvements." [Surprise, surprise ... the greed-is-good syndrome kicks in while governance and its bureaucratic functionaries stand back ... How many might be 'property investors'? ... A question worth the asking!!]
Ryan Stanaway spent months trying to find a place to rent in Launceston. Picture by Paul Scambler
Mr Stanaway said it took the three months to find a place to rent, he said was "lucky" to find the place he did.
The newly renovated house is cheaper than his previous rental at $500 a week and there are five people living in the house.
Mr Stanaway said having housemates was cost effective but due to so many people in the same position, unable to find a place to live.
"Everyone is experiencing this, especially younger people who are new to the rental market," he said.
Mr Stanaway said the rental situation was "ridiculous" and was "shocked" about the empty houses. [Well they might be BUT talk to a 'TRADIE' and they might well tell you they have TRASHED empty house to repair ... IT IS A NICE little EARNER APPARENTLY]
"It's only going to get worse," Mr Stanaway said. [Well he right on the money while 'governance' sits on its hands crying out that it is beyond them ... If it is too hot in the kitchen GET OUT OF IT!!]
TUSA is one of 12 community organisations who have signed a letter to the government in hopes to see more done to reduce empty residential homes in Tasmania. [Well that'll work for sure!]
Principal solicitor Ben Bartl said Tasmania needed to utilise existing housing to tackle this issue. [ABSOLUTELY no ifs, no buts!!]
"It is unfathomable that in the midst of a housing crisis there were 2700 properties that sat empty in the Hobart, Glenorchy and Launceston City Council municipalities," he said. [ABSOLUTELY!]
Mr Bartl said Tasmania cannot wait 10 years for housing. [ABSOLUTELY!!]
"The lack of housing in Launceston is not just a human rights issue, it is also leading to skill shortages and lost economic output with the research highlighting that there are over five jobs available for every rental vacancy in Launceston and the North-East of Tasmania," he said. [ABSOLUTELY!]
Housing minister Guy Barnett said Homes Tasmania was offering incentives for Tasmanian property owners like the Private Rental Incentives program, which offers maximum rent and incentive amounts. [AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING AND ARE UNLIKELY TO!]
"Participating property owners receive an incentive payment of between $6600 and $9900 per property each year and rent is guaranteed for a two-year lease," he said. [MONEY FOR JAM!]
Rents are capped at 25 to 30 per cent below median region rates, making them more affordable for private renters. [AND the owners of vacant properties, as likely as not are laughing all the way to the bank ... SPOT THE DOTS THEN JOIN THEM]
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