Residents say public housing works have blocked them from their own yards

A state government housing project in Tasmania's northwest is causing distress for residents, who report that access to parts of their own backyards has been restricted even before a single home is completed.

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Temporary fencing, complete with "KEEP OUT" and "DO NOT ENTER" signs, has been erected in the residents' backyards this week, following heavy rainfall, blocking some from even accessing their own sheds.

Residents in the Burnie suburb of Romaine say that land at shared boundaries has begun crumbling onto the Homes Tasmania development. This has led to the erection of temporary fencing, complete with "KEEP OUT" and "DO NOT ENTER" signs, blocking some residents from accessing their own sheds and parts of their yards. Heavy rainfall has exacerbated the issue.

Geoff Dyke, a resident of Roslyn Avenue, explained that earthworks started earlier this year, resulting in a significant drop-off at the edge of his backyard after the developer removed his existing fence. He was told a retaining wall would be built, but received no timeline for its completion. In the meantime, temporary fencing blocks the pathway between his garage and western boundary, limiting his access to the backyard. "It's nuisance value mostly, more than anything," Dyke said, expressing a pragmatic outlook despite the inconvenience.

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It's nuisance value mostly, more than anything.

Next door, Jacob Carpenter voiced more significant frustration, particularly concerning safety for his children and family dog. He has lost access to a strip of land along his back boundary, now behind the temporary fencing, and part of his boundary fence was also removed. "My kids can't go out in the backyard, I don't want to let my dog in the backyard," he stated, highlighting the loss of usable outdoor space. Carpenter has attempted to contact Homes Tasmania and the developer but has not received a response.

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We've been here 30 something years … so another 12 months won't matter.

Homes Tasmania has stated that monitoring is in place to ensure safety and that an "alternative construction methodology" is being implemented. However, residents like Mr. Dyke and Mr. Carpenter report little information from the developer or government on how the situation will be rectified, leading to ongoing concerns about the impact on their properties and daily lives.

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My kids can't go out in the backyard, I don't want to let my dog in the backyard.