Bruce Neill

Bridgewater is a suburb with potential — there’s no denying that. With affordable housing and easy access to the Midland Highway, it offers entry-level opportunities for homebuyers and a relatively short drive to Hobart. For many families, it’s been a stepping stone into the property market.

However, the reality on the ground paints a more complicated picture.

Bridgewater continues to face longstanding challenges around crime, social disadvantage, and lack of local services. While community groups and council initiatives have made efforts to improve the area, progress feels slow and inconsistent. Some pockets of the suburb have seen modest improvements, but others remain affected by antisocial behaviour and poor upkeep.

Public transport is limited, job opportunities in the immediate area are scarce, and many homes are in need of significant maintenance or renovation. For families, access to quality education and youth services can also be a concern.

That said, the suburb does have a strong sense of community pride among long-term residents, and there’s a lot of heart here. If future development and social investment are done right, Bridgewater could begin to turn a corner. But for now, it’s a suburb that feels like it’s stuck — waiting for the kind of transformation seen in other outer areas like Rokeby or Claremont.

In short: Bridgewater is affordable, but it comes with trade-offs. It needs more support, better infrastructure, and real long-term planning to unlock its full potential.

Primrose Sands is one of Tasmania’s best-kept secrets — a peaceful coastal community that offers stunning views, a relaxed pace of life, and a real sense of escape, all at a price point that still feels fair in today’s market.

There’s something undeniably special about waking up to the sound of waves and having pristine beaches just minutes from your doorstep. Whether it’s fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying the serenity, Primrose Sands delivers a lifestyle that’s hard to find so close to a capital city.

The community here is tight-knit and welcoming, with more families and professionals starting to take notice of what this little gem has to offer. The area has seen modest development in recent years, but it has managed to retain its laid-back, coastal charm — something many suburbs lose along the way.

If there’s one drawback, it’s the distance from Hobart. While the drive is scenic, it’s not as close to the city as places like Rokeby or Howrah, which means commuting can be a bit of a commitment. But for those who value lifestyle over convenience, the trade-off is absolutely worth it.

The silver lining? Prices in Primrose Sands remain surprisingly affordable compared to Hobart’s eastern suburbs. For first-home buyers, sea-changers, or smart investors, it represents a chance to secure property in a growing community without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for clean air, ocean views, and a true sense of peace — Primrose Sands is well worth the drive.

West Hobart is often spoken about as one of Hobart’s more desirable suburbs, but from the perspective of someone who values practicality, safety, and genuine lifestyle quality — it’s falling short.

Yes, it has heritage homes and leafy streets, but much of the housing stock is ageing and overpriced for what’s actually on offer. Many properties require significant maintenance, and the costs of upkeep are rarely reflected in the market value. You’re often paying premium prices for outdated infrastructure.

Socially, the suburb has shifted. While once known for its community feel and artistic flair, there’s now a growing divide between long-term residents and newer arrivals. This change has created a kind of tension — a sense that the suburb is losing its identity without gaining anything meaningful in return.

More concerning are issues around safety and cleanliness. Certain streets are noticeably neglected, with rising reports of petty crime and public disturbances that make parts of West Hobart feel less safe than they used to. Public spaces and parks aren’t maintained to the standard you’d expect for the price tag of living here.

South Hobart continues to be one of the most desirable and picturesque suburbs in Tasmania. Nestled beneath the slopes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington and just minutes from the Hobart CBD, it offers a rare blend of natural beauty, historic charm, and a tight-knit, community-driven atmosphere.

The suburb thrives on its walkability, with cafes, artisan stores, and the South Hobart Linear Park providing a relaxed and liveable lifestyle. Families are drawn to its excellent schools and peaceful surroundings, while professionals and creatives enjoy the balance between urban convenience and tranquil bushland.

However, like any suburb growing in popularity, South Hobart is facing some pressure points.

Community safety is one area needing immediate attention. While not known for major crime, recent rises in petty theft and vandalism have prompted residents to call for a stronger and more visible police presence. The suburb would benefit greatly from proactive community policing to maintain its peaceful reputation.

Another issue is traffic congestion. The narrow roads and increasing number of vehicles, particularly during school and work peak hours, are putting real strain on local infrastructure. Without a plan to manage flow or encourage alternate transport options, South Hobart risks becoming less functional for residents — and less enjoyable overall.

Rosetta might offer river views and a quieter lifestyle on the surface, but dig a little deeper and the reality is far less appealing — particularly for those considering living, investing, or raising a family in the area.

One of the most pressing concerns is crime. While it doesn’t always make headlines, locals know that Rosetta has seen a steady increase in break-ins, antisocial behaviour, and youth-related crime. The sense of safety that many people seek in suburban life just doesn’t feel as solid here anymore. There’s a growing perception that it’s a community in decline rather than on the rise.

Geographically, Rosetta’s location up-river from Hobart CBD may seem scenic, but in practical terms it feels increasingly isolated. The commute to key services, schools, and employment hubs adds up — especially with limited transport links and traffic bottlenecks on the Brooker Highway. It often feels like you’re tucked away in the wrong direction, away from where progress and infrastructure investment are happening.

Perhaps most concerning of all is the environmental legacy of the Zinc Works in Lutana. Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that heavy metal contamination from the site doesn’t just impact nearby suburbs — it travels upriver and settles in soil and waterways across the Derwent. Rosetta is not immune. While the views may be picturesque, the long-term impact on soil quality and public health is a serious, and often overlooked, issue.

North Hobart has long been regarded as one of Hobart’s most character-rich suburbs. With its iconic strip of eateries, art deco cinema, and vibrant café culture, it has been a go-to destination for both locals and visitors alike. There’s a strong sense of community, and the suburb’s proximity to the CBD, along with its walkability and historic charm, has made it highly desirable.

That said, it’s hard to ignore the subtle but steady shift in recent years — and not necessarily for the better.

There’s a growing feeling that North Hobart has started to stagnate. Some beloved venues have closed, the once-bustling nightlife has quietened, and public infrastructure improvements haven’t kept pace with community needs. Parking has become a persistent issue, and housing in the area is aging and increasingly unaffordable, without the offset of significant modernisation or urban renewal.

While the suburb still holds plenty of appeal, there’s a sense that it’s resting on its reputation rather than evolving. With the right attention and strategic investment, North Hobart could easily reclaim its place as a cultural hub.

As someone who has spent a significant part of my life investing not only in financial ventures but in the heart of community development, I can say with great confidence that Rokeby represents one of the most promising and inspiring opportunities in Tasmania today.

Over the past year, I’ve taken a keen interest in the transformation happening across Hobart’s Eastern Shore. Rokeby, once unfairly overlooked, is now emerging as a shining example of what community-focused planning, infrastructure investment, and genuine social uplift can achieve. The energy here is palpable — there’s a clear sense of momentum, driven by both local initiative and strategic investment.

I was particularly impressed by the level of care being given to housing, education, and wellbeing initiatives. It’s not just about profits — it’s about people. Rokeby is building towards a future where affordability doesn’t compromise quality of life. It’s the kind of suburb where we can provide safe, dignified homes for working families, retirees, and vulnerable individuals alike. That matters to me.

From a business perspective, the numbers make sense — but more importantly, so does the purpose. Investing in Rokeby means investing in resilience, in community pride, and in the next generation of Tasmanians. This suburb is on the cusp of becoming one of the state's great success stories.

As someone who has dedicated years to supporting sustainable and community-positive growth across Tasmania, I feel compelled to speak honestly about the suburb of Lutana. Despite its proximity to Hobart and the River Derwent, the ongoing environmental risks tied to the nearby Zinc Works make Lutana deeply problematic as a place to live, raise a family, or invest long-term.

The reality is this: heavy metal contamination, particularly from airborne emissions and soil toxicity, is not a historic problem — it is an ongoing issue. The Zinc Works, still fully operational, releases significant levels of cadmium, lead, and other pollutants into the surrounding environment. Multiple studies have shown elevated levels of these substances in Lutana’s soil and dust. This poses a direct threat to respiratory health, child development, and overall quality of life.

What’s more concerning is the entrenched housing in the area — much of it aged, poorly insulated, and not equipped to mitigate environmental exposure. Property values may appear stable, but the hidden health costs are severe, and in my opinion, outweigh any short-term gain. There's little evidence of substantial government or corporate efforts to rectify or rehabilitate the area in a meaningful way.