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    Davies Design & Construction
    Skyline project — contemporary residential design by Davies Design & Construction

    Building in Taroona

    Kingborough's premier riverside suburb — Alum Cliffs, IMAS marine research, and established family living 10 km south of Hobart CBD.

    The Place

    Kingborough's Riverside Premium Suburb

    Taroona sits on the western shore of the Derwent River estuary, 10 km south of the Hobart CBD via the Channel Highway. It is part of Kingborough Council — one of Tasmania's fastest-growing municipalities — but feels emphatically distinct from the newer estates further south. The suburb's 3,121 residents (ABS 2021, SAL60668) enjoy a median age of 47 and an owner-occupancy rate above 80%, making it one of the most settled and prosperous postcodes in the Greater Hobart region.

    The Derwent River foreshore is Taroona's defining asset. Taroona Beach — a 500-metre stretch backed by Taroona Park — provides the suburb's primary recreational heart, alongside the Taroona Tennis Club, bowls club, and skate park. The Alum Cliffs State Reserve at the suburb's southern edge protects a 3.5 km stretch of Permian mudstone cliffs and connects via the Alum Cliffs Walking Track through to Kingston Beach. The Historic Shot Tower (1870), a few hundred metres south at Bonnet Hill, rises to 48 metres and is one of the tallest pre-Federation structures in the southern hemisphere.

    The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), part of the University of Tasmania, operates its Taroona facility here — a working research station studying Tasmanian wild fisheries and marine ecosystems. A $25 million+ Antarctic krill aquarium facility received Federal funding approval in late 2022, anchoring the suburb's ongoing research identity. The presence of IMAS staff and academics adds to the community's educated, professional character.

    A Note on Our Service Area

    Davies Design & Construction is based in Sheffield, north-west Tasmania — approximately 270 km from Taroona. We build across northern Tasmania but Hobart and the Kingborough southside are beyond our regular service area. For Taroona projects we refer clients to Align Architecture & Interiors, a Hobart practice with a shared commitment to design-led, high-performance residential construction. Get in touch and we'll connect you with the right people for your project.

    Skyline — hillside contemporary home by Davies Design & ConstructionCloudscape — elevated residential design by Davies Design & Construction
    The Lifestyle

    Why People Choose Taroona

    Derwent River Outlook

    Taroona's western Derwent frontage delivers water views from elevated sites across the suburb. Taroona Beach and Park sit at the suburb's northern edge — accessible on foot — while the Alum Cliffs Walking Track links south to Kingston Beach. River-facing lots command a consistent premium.

    Alum Cliffs & Natural Reserve

    The Alum Cliffs State Reserve protects 3.5 km of Permian mudstone cliffs along Taroona's southern boundary. The reserve contains Aboriginal cultural heritage sites — mouhenneener shell middens — and walking tracks with sweeping Derwent estuary views. It is one of the finest reserves in suburban Hobart.

    Established, Educated Community

    With a median age of 47 and owner-occupancy above 80%, Taroona is an exceptionally stable suburb. IMAS/UTAS researchers, professionals, and long-established families make up much of the community. Taroona Primary and Taroona High School serve the suburb within walking distance for most residents.

    Strong Property Market

    Taroona's median house price sits around $941,000–$1,040,000 (2025–26), reflecting its constrained supply — virtually no greenfield land remains — and sustained demand from owner-occupiers. Tight lot availability makes knockdown-rebuild a primary pathway for buyers wanting a new home in the suburb.

    Southside Connectivity

    The Channel Highway connects Taroona to the Hobart CBD in 15–20 minutes. The Kingston bus route and cycling infrastructure along the highway provide car-free commuting options. The suburb sits equidistant between the CBD's amenity and Kingston's commercial centre.

    KDR & Renovation Opportunity

    Taroona's housing stock is predominantly 1960s–1980s brick and weatherboard on generously-sized lots. Knockdown-rebuild and major renovation projects are the dominant form of new residential development. Well-oriented sites — particularly those with northern aspect and river outlook — offer exceptional custom home potential.

    Building Here

    What to Know About Building in Taroona

    Taroona sits within Kingborough Council — currently the only Tasmanian council that has not yet commenced a full Local Provisions Schedule. The Kingborough Interim Planning Scheme 2015 remains operative while TPC hearings on the draft LPS continue. Key planning considerations for Taroona:

    • Most residential land in Taroona is zoned Low Density Residential under the interim scheme. Landslip hazard risk across much of the suburb prevents the General Residential zoning that would allow higher-density outcomes — this is reflected in the draft LPS.
    • Bushfire-Prone Areas overlay applies to much of the suburb's upper slopes. Any new dwelling or major renovation will require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment and compliance with AS 3959 construction standards.
    • Coastal Erosion Hazard overlay applies to foreshore-adjacent lots. Check LISTmap (listmap.tas.gov.au) for each specific parcel before purchasing or designing — the hazard band affects permitted setbacks and earthworks.
    • Landslip Hazard overlay covers a significant portion of Taroona's steeper terrain. A geotechnical assessment is typically required before permit lodgement for sites within this overlay — budget for this early in the design process.
    • Planning applications are lodged with Kingborough Council. For the current status of PlanBuild Tasmania's rollout in Kingborough, check kingborough.tas.gov.au or planbuild.tas.gov.au — online lodgement availability may differ from City of Hobart.
    • Aboriginal cultural heritage: mouhenneener shell middens are recorded in the Alum Cliffs area. Any ground disturbance near the reserve should include Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment as part of the pre-application process.
    Common Questions

    Taroona Building FAQ

    Does Davies Construction build homes in Taroona?+
    Davies Design & Construction is based in Sheffield on Tasmania's north-west coast, and our regular service area covers northern Tasmania — Devonport, Launceston, Burnie, and the surrounding regions. Taroona is in the Greater Hobart area, which is beyond our direct service footprint. For Taroona projects wanting a design-led custom home, we can connect you with Align Architecture & Interiors — a trusted Hobart practice with strong experience in Kingborough residential work. Get in touch and we'll make the introduction.
    What is Taroona like to live in?+
    Taroona is one of Kingborough's most sought-after residential suburbs — a quiet, leafy community 10 km south of Hobart CBD along the western shore of the Derwent River. With a median age of 47 and owner-occupancy above 80%, it attracts established families and professionals who want space, privacy, and natural amenity close to the city. The suburb is bounded by the Alum Cliffs State Reserve to the south and Taroona Beach and Park to the north, giving residents walking access to both the river and the bush. The IMAS/UTAS marine research facility adds a distinctive academic and scientific flavour to the community.
    What planning scheme applies to Taroona?+
    Taroona is within the Kingborough Council local government area, currently governed by the Kingborough Interim Planning Scheme 2015. Kingborough is the only Tasmanian council that has not yet commenced a full Local Provisions Schedule — hearings before the Tasmanian Planning Commission are ongoing as of mid-2026, and the LPS remains in draft. Under the interim scheme, most residential land in Taroona is zoned Low Density Residential (reflecting landslip and coastal hazard constraints that limit higher-density outcomes). Prospective builders should check Kingborough's planning portal and LISTmap for any specific overlays — bushfire-prone, coastal erosion, and landslip hazard areas all apply across parts of the suburb.
    How much does it cost to build a custom home in Taroona?+
    Custom home builds in Greater Hobart — including Taroona — typically range from $3,800–$6,500 per square metre depending on design complexity, site constraints, and finish level. Taroona's hilly topography and coastal setting often carry additional earthworks, retaining wall, and engineering costs. Median house prices in Taroona sit around $941,000–$1,040,000, reflecting the suburb's premium southside positioning. For a comprehensive guide to construction costs across Tasmania in 2026, see our Cost Guide — a genuinely useful benchmark for anyone planning a high-quality custom build.
    Related Reading
    Building in Kingston →Building in Hobart →Building in Margate →2026 Cost Guide →

    Planning a Custom Home in Taroona?

    Davies works in northern Tasmania, but we can connect you with the right people for your Taroona project. Get in touch — we'll point you in the right direction.

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