What changes the choice in Hobart
The Derwent below the bridge is exposed
The Derwent is seawater as far up as New Norfolk. BlueScope's TB-35 table classes it as exposed south of the Tasman Bridge, and Bellerive, Sandy Bay, Kingston and Long Beach all sit on that stretch. Its only calm example in Hobart is Constitution Dock. Exposed water carries the surf distances: Colorbond Classic, Matt, Zincalume and Metallic more than 200 m back, Colorbond Ultra more than 100 m, and SUPERDURA Stainless closer still.
Surf on the South Arm side
Clifton Beach, about 25 km south-east of the city, faces south-south-east into Storm Bay and is a surf beach. BlueScope's table lists it under surf, so the same 200 m line applies, measured from the high water mark. Tiles are the other route: Monier says its concrete and terracotta tiles are salt safe and won't corrode.
Bushfire-prone blocks
Black Tuesday in 1967 showed how close fire can get: forest litter, hot air and northerly winds of up to 110 km/h drove it within two kilometres of the CBD. Today, code C13.0 counts land as bushfire-prone if it's on the council overlay, or within 100 m of 1 ha or more of bushfire-prone vegetation where there's no map.
Heritage streets and tight access
Battery Point has many houses from the first years of Hobart Town. On streets like these, a re-roof may need the council's say-so, and narrow lanes make scaffolding and waste removal harder.
When replacing beats repairing
Replacement makes sense when the roof itself is the problem: tiles crumbling all over, sheets rusted through in many places, or so many patches that nothing holds. Our restore or replace tool gives a quick lean, and the national page on roof replacement explains the job.
Many post-war Hobart homes are weighing tile against Colorbond; our Colorbond vs tile guide sets out the trade-offs.
If the old roof might be asbestos
Post-war houses are common right across Hobart, and ASSEA says a home built or renovated before 1990 probably has some asbestos, which can include roofing and eaves. If yours might, don't drill, cut, water-blast or walk on it. It needs testing and, if positive, removal by a licensed asbestos removalist before the new roof goes on. Start with is my roof asbestos?
Questions for a Hobart re-roof quote
- Which steel and finish are you quoting, and what distance from the water is it rated for?
- How far is my house from the high water mark, and is that water calm, exposed or surf?
- Is my block on the council's bushfire-prone overlay, and does that change anything in the job?
- Who tests and removes any asbestos, and is that in this price?
- Does the price include sarking, new flashings, gutters and taking away the old roof?
- Will I need council approval, given the street or the house's age?
Our take
Measure before you choose. More than 200 m from the high water mark, BlueScope's guidance leaves your choices wide open, so pick on looks, heat and budget. Closer in, remember the Derwent below the Tasman Bridge is exposed water, not calm, and the cheapest steel may be the wrong one. If your block is anywhere near bush, check the council overlay before you sign, and get the roofer to put the product name and its rated distance in the written quote.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.