Building in Romaine
A quiet family suburb on Burnie's southern edge — established streets, native bushland reserve, and strong community character just 5km from the city centre.
Burnie's Quiet Southern Suburb
Romaine sits about 5km south of Burnie CBD — far enough from the city's industrial waterfront to feel genuinely suburban, close enough to reach its services in minutes. With a population of approximately 1,850 (ABS 2021), it's one of the larger Burnie suburbs and one of the most settled: 81% of dwellings are owner-occupied, a figure that reflects genuine community attachment rather than transient living.
The suburb's origins are working-class — Romaine developed in the post-WWII period to house workers from the Emu Bay Railway and the north-west's manufacturing industries. That character has evolved into something quieter and more family-oriented. Today, Romaine is popular with young families, healthcare workers, and educators drawn to the proximity of the North West Regional Hospital and the University of Tasmania's Cradle Coast campus.
The defining natural asset is Romaine Reserve — 12.69 hectares of native parkland running along Romaine Creek on the suburb's eastern boundary. Mountain ash, white gums, blackwoods, and man ferns on one side; quiet residential streets on the other. For families with young children, the combination of the reserve, Romaine Primary School (opened 2012), and low-traffic streets makes this a compelling address.
The median house price of approximately $547,500 positions Romaine as one of the more accessible custom home destinations in the Burnie area — land prices that allow quality construction to be genuinely competitive with established homes, rather than priced out of reach.
Why People Choose Romaine
Strong Owner-Occupancy
81% of Romaine dwellings are owner-occupied — one of the highest rates in the Burnie area. This reflects genuine community attachment and makes it a suburb where well-built homes hold their value.
Romaine Reserve
12.69 hectares of native bushland along Romaine Creek — mountain ash, blackwoods, man ferns, and marked walking trails. An extraordinary open-space amenity for a suburban address just 5km from the city.
Healthcare Access
The North West Regional Hospital is within 5 minutes of Romaine — one of Tasmania's two major regional hospitals, employing hundreds of medical and support staff who represent consistent rental demand.
UTAS Cradle Coast Campus
The University of Tasmania's Cradle Coast campus sits close by, bringing students, academics, and a professional workforce. A steady source of rental demand for investors and a positive influence on the suburb's community character.
Accessible Entry Price
Median house price approximately $547,500 with a gross rental yield around 4.68%. One of the more accessible custom home locations in the Burnie area, with land prices that allow quality construction to compete with established homes.
Family Community
Romaine Primary School (opened 2012), low-traffic streets, and Romaine Reserve combine to make this a suburb families actively choose. The absence of through-traffic and commercial activity creates a genuinely quiet residential environment.
What to Know About Building in Romaine
Romaine falls under City of Burnie Council's jurisdiction, with planning assessed under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme and the Burnie City Local Provisions Schedule (LPS). Burnie was the first council in Tasmania to have its LPS approved, which commenced on 22 July 2020. Here's what to understand before you build:
- Permitted development applications are typically assessed within 28 days under the Burnie City LPS — a clear, manageable timeline for planning your build schedule.
- Romaine is approximately 5km inland from Bass Strait — well clear of the coastal exposure that affects Burnie's waterfront suburbs. This reduces the requirement for marine-grade cladding and hardware specifications on most blocks.
- The suburb is predominantly established residential — most builds will be infill (replacing or building alongside existing homes) rather than greenfield development. Site access and construction logistics are generally straightforward on residential streets.
- Romaine Creek runs along the eastern boundary via Romaine Reserve. Lots close to the creek boundary should be checked via PlanBuild Tasmania for any waterway overlay requirements.
- As a family and healthcare-worker suburb, an investment build in Romaine benefits from good-sized bedrooms (3–4 BR), low-maintenance gardens, and durable finishes that appeal to the rental demographic.
Our Sheffield base is about one hour south-east of Romaine. We have established relationships with trades across the north-west and a track record of building in this region — including our award-winning Barn House Penguin, right between Burnie and Devonport.
Davies Projects in the Region
Our portfolio includes exceptional homes along the north-west coast — each one a demonstration of what's possible when great design meets precise construction.
Romaine Building FAQ
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