Neighbourhood Plan to unlock thousands of new homes
Published on 24 October 2025
The City of Launceston has this week endorsed the St Leonards and Waverley Neighbourhood Plan and Infrastructure Funding Framework, marking a major milestone in the city’s coordinated housing-growth agenda.
Co-funded through the Commonwealth Government’s $1.5 billion Housing Support Program (Stream 1), the project represents the culmination of 12 months’ work to reintroduce a coordinated growth framework for the municipality — laying the groundwork for more than 3,200 new homes to be built in St Leonards and Waverley over the next 30 years.
Led by the City’s Strategic Land Use Planning team, the plan charts a blueprint for sustainable, well-serviced neighbourhoods featuring new parks, footpaths and bike links, neighbourhood activity centres and community facilities.
City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the plan would enable development to occur 'on the ground' by providing the infrastructure and policy certainty developers and residents need.
"This is a once in a generation plan that strikes the balance between growth and keeping Launnie’s character," Mayor Garwood said.
"It’s about making sure we’ve got homes for everyone — from first-home buyers to growing families and down-sizers, in neighbourhoods that feel connected, vibrant, and true to the people who live here.
"For the first time in Tassie, we’ve got an Infrastructure Funding Framework of this scale behind it - that means we’re planning and paying for the important stuff like roads, parks, and community spaces up front so homes can be built quicker, smarter, and more sustainably."
The Neighbourhood Plan is underpinned by three strategic directions: Sustainable Growth, Connected Communities and Vibrant Places, and aligns closely with the City of Launceston’s Strategic Plan 2025-2035 and Housing Plan 2025-2040.
City of Launceston Chief Executive Officer Sam Johnson said the adoption of the plan and funding framework was an important step towards unlocking Launceston’s future housing supply.
"This framework gives us the tools to deliver coordinated growth so we can ensure that as new homes are built, the infrastructure and services people need are delivered alongside them," Mr Johnson said.
"It’s been a collaborative effort across many City of Launceston teams and consultants, and it has the support of the development sector because it sets clear expectations and pathways for investment."
The Infrastructure Funding Framework establishes how shared infrastructure will be delivered and funded, providing certainty for both developers and the community.
Implementation projects are expected to commence in 2026 to ensure Launceston’s eastern growth corridor continues to develop as a series of well-connected, sustainable neighbourhoods.