News from Council Meeting - 7 December 2020

Published on 07 December 2020

A concept plan to beautify Elizabeth Street in the ‘Midtown’ precinct through streetscape improvements has been endorsed by the Hobart City Council.

The concept plan was the culmination of a two-year collaborative process that began in 2018. The final concept was presented with four key themes: Inclusive; Active; Greener; and Vibrant and includes wider footpaths, more plants and trees, new paving, street furniture and public art opportunities.

The most recent public consultation, conducted in October, included feedback from 183 respondents to an online survey that demonstrated that 71 per cent were supportive of the overall concept design.

There was strong support for the inclusion of an uphill bicycle lane, though there were varying viewpoints around the type of treatment that should be implemented. The proposed inclusion of vegetation and wider footpaths were also well received.

A further report will be presented to Council in the first quarter of 2021, outlining an implementation plan and including cost estimates, financial impacts, funding sources and proposed timings.

The final design of the uphill bicycle lane will be determined following a trial as part of the state government-funded Ready for Business dining deck pilot program.

Improved pedestrian links, including an all-abilities access ramp, plus additional seating and child-friendly public art are among the draft plans for the stage 2 upgrade of Collins Court – the laneway that connects Collins Street with Trafalgar Place.

A concept design that was endorsed by Council this evening features a new non-slip ramp and stairs to provide an all-abilities pedestrian link to the southern end of Trafalgar Place. New street lighting and flexible seating will be added, along with infrastructure that would allow for events to be held in the space.

A metal octopus sculpture that is suitable for children to play on would also be installed.

Stage 1 of the redevelopment was completed in 2015. The Stage 2 concept plan will be released for public comment prior to a further report to Council next year.

The next round of community consultation on the North Hobart Precinct Place Vision and the Access and Parking Plan will start in February.

The draft plans were developed earlier this year as a result of community interviews and workshops conducted in early 2020.

A public survey will gauge community views on these plans, including which actions should be prioritised.

The survey will be available to complete in February 2021 via the City of Hobart’s Your Say website and all members of the community are encouraged to have their say.

Two residential developments – proposing a combined additional 16 dwellings – have been approved by Council.

A seven-storey development in Murray Street, Hobart, with commercial space on the ground floor, includes a combination of two, three and four-bedroom apartments plus car parking.

Nine additional dwellings will be created in a residential development at Romilly Street, South Hobart. The development will not impact on plans to create a recreational walkway along the Sandy Bay Rivulet and on the native vegetation protected by a covenant.