THE first residents of The Mills residential development in New Norfolk have moved in, just 12 months since the first concrete pour last year.

Noble Ventures Director Daniel Noble, who was joined by Housing Minister Guy Barnett, said he was thrilled the development had progressed so rapidly.

“In the current tight labour market and with all the issues that we have all faced with Covid particularly since the start of this year, we are really pleased that the majority of these houses (85 per cent) are now occupied,’’ Mr Noble said. “This is a credit to all the local contractors who have worked with us on the project.

“Hobart’s housing issues are well documented and it’s great to know that we are contributing to the solution by providing real homes to people, while also bringing jobs and economic growth to New Norfolk at the same time.”

Mr Noble said that in celebration of the occasion, Mr Barnett presented Shane and Janelle Malone with a variety of leptospermum (tea tree), which is native to Tasmania. The Malone’s recently moved into one of the houses within The Mills. “In my view, every house needs a touch of local greenery and what could be more local than a tea tree?’’ Mr Noble said.

He also thanked the Derwent Valley Council and State Government for ongoing support. “Addressing the housing crisis in Hobart is a real team effort, and the support we have received from both the Council and State Government in progressing our development has been fantastic. “In particular, I would like to thank Mayor Michelle Dracoulis, former Mayor Ben Shaw, and the professional staff at Derwent Valley Council for their ongoing support and guidance.”

The Mills masterplan includes over 700 residential lots, with all 22 lots in Stage one (6b) now sold and the majority now occupied. The next stage (6c) totals 43 lots and will be released in separate stages. Already two lots in this stage have sold, with the official launch of the remaining 22 lots expected this month.