Launceston City Council has developed a draft housing blueprint called the Launceston Residential strategy 2009-2029.

Aldermen voted last week to release the strategy for consultation but council officers say the release will be delayed to avoid confusion with the new transport strategy.

The residential strategy, detailed in a 70-page booklet plus 91 pages of attachments, will guide council decision-making for more than 20 years.

According to the strategy, sustainable neighbourhoods allow for growing food, conserving and re-using water, reducing heating and cooling energy needs and conserving biodiversity.

The strategy recommends that the council discourage conversion of residences to commercial use, particularly in central areas, and boost the diversity of houses by encouraging smaller and alternative housing forms.

The strategy also recommends encouraging growth in areas of excess infrastructure capacity by infill development and ensuring maintenance of existing natural values in new developments.