Shaping a vision for the future of Central Hobart

Published on 11 March 2020

Hobart’s economic activity, population, visitor and student numbers are growing. By 2041, daily population (combining projected resident and student numbers as well as workers coming in to the city) is projected to increase by 13,271.*

To address this rapid transformation, the City of Hobart in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, with input from the community, will develop a Central Hobart Precincts Plan to guide the city’s sustainable future development.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the Central Hobart Precincts Plan would address population, social, environmental and economic trends, as well as issues that are impacting on the city, including building form and height, the UTAS relocation, traffic and movement, and housing supply.

“Tying in with the Hobart City Deal, the Greater Hobart Act 2019 and our community vision, the plan will be developed in line with our city’s housing needs and existing constraints,” she said.

The Central Hobart area covers 64 city blocks bounded by Davey Street to the south, Burnett Street to the north, the Brooker Highway to the east and Molle and Harrington streets to the west.

“The plan will guide future growth in a way that will strengthen what's great about Hobart and will build on its position as a vibrant, liveable and connected city.

“Responding to the current and future trends, the plan will establish a holistic vision and framework to support future growth, development and character of Central Hobart so that it remains and thrives as the primary activity centre for the southern region and the state of Tasmania.

“The challenges of growth in Central Hobart present opportunities that will require careful consideration and meaningful engagement with the local community and other stakeholders,” Cr Reynolds said.

The final document will include recommendations for policies, strategies, development controls and projects to guide planning and sustainable growth. It will address land use, built form, transport integration, open space provision and infrastructure.

The development of the plan will be undertaken in phases following the extensive project scoping, planning and analysis that occurred in 2019. This work resulted in the production of a Baseline Report, which analyses the current conditions, issues and opportunities in the area and presents the economic, demographic and employment profile of Central Hobart.

The Baseline Report will serve as a resource document to inform a series of discussions with the community to gather further input for the preparation of the precincts plan.

The first round of engagement starts this month and includes an online survey and a series of workshops for the public to learn about the findings of the Baseline Report and to share their ideas and vision for Central Hobart.

“We are looking forward to hearing the aspirations of the community to shape the future of Central Hobart,” Cr Reynolds said.

For more information about the project and engagement opportunities, please visit the Your Say Hobart website.

The Central Hobart Precincts Plan is expected at this stage to be developed by the end of 2020.

*Economic, Demographic and Employment Study (HillPDA Feb 2020).