News from Council Meeting - 26 April 2021

Published on 26 April 2021

The importance of managing the risk of bushfire has been highlighted in an updated bushfire management strategy for the city of Hobart.

The Draft 2021 Bushfire Management Strategy includes an overview of Hobart’s risk and the methods that can be used to reduce it. It draws from the findings of the recent Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and from the experiences of Tasmanian fires in 2016 and 2018-19.

Bushfire is considered the greatest single threat to the Hobart area, with previous events having demonstrated the potential impacts.

The draft strategy outlines the City of Hobart’s regulatory responsibilities and information around the key mitigation methods such as fuel reduction burns, fire breaks and maintenance of fire trails.

It includes 43 actions to reduce the risks and potential impacts of major bushfire across the next decade.

The draft strategy will be released for public comment prior to being finalised.

A planning application for the construction of a 34.8 metre (10-storey), 68-room hotel while retaining the existing art deco façade has been approved with conditions by Council.

The proposed development includes a ground floor café and bar and public art, basement-level car parking, and a rooftop garden and bar.

A landscape plan is required for the proposed development and the inclusion of street trees is recommended.

During March 2021, a total 82 planning permits were issued for projects with a combined estimated value of nearly $80.2 million.

This included eight new homes worth a combined $3.97 million and nine multiple dwellings worth $2.47 million. Two major projects were also approved: a $5.5 million education and occasional care facility at Glebe, and a $60 million hospital, professional services and retail development at New Town.

During the same period, 68 building permits were issued for projects worth about $26.24 million. Eight new dwellings worth $$5.36 million received the green light for construction, along with three large commercial projects.

In the 12 months to the end of March, a total of 630 building permits were issued, worth a total $182 million.

Expressions of Interest will be invited for use of the upstairs space of the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre (Youth ARC).

Available for lease is a main, open space – which is currently used as a dance studio – and an office/meeting room that recently became vacant.

Expressions of interest will be sought for a two-year lease of the space. A further report will be presented to Council following the EoI process.

A motion calling for a review of the workplace safety of elected members working in local government will be put to an upcoming Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) meeting.

So far in 2021, more than 40 Tasmanian local government representatives from 16 councils have signed a joint statement expressing concern about workplace culture, particularly for women, in local government.

This follows on from a 2019 survey contacted by LGAT that found 60 per cent of elected members who responded had experienced online bullying and harassment.

The motion to be submitted reads:

That LGAT calls on the State Government to commission Equal Opportunity Tasmania to undertake a review of the workplace health and safety of the Local Government sector for elected representatives.