News from Council Meeting - 23 August 2021

News from Council Meeting - 23 August 2021

Published on 23 August 2021

Help for Hobart businesses during mainland lockdowns

A suite of support measures will be put in place to assist Hobart businesses struggling with the impacts of pandemic-induced lockdowns on the mainland.

“It’s clear that many businesses are doing it tough as a result of border closures and the ongoing threat of COVID-19 to our community,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.

“We can’t predict how long the current situation will last and that level of uncertainty is hitting our business community hard.”

The Council tonight voted unanimously to endorse a support package that includes:

·one-on-one advice and support through a new Business Concierge Service rent relief for City-owned premises and reduced fees short-tern adjustments to parking rates facilitation of industry-specific round tables a campaign to draw workers back into the city to support CBD traders.

In addition, feasibility of a weekend ferry service from Bellerive to Hobart to support market stallholders and the waterfront hospitality and retail sector is currently being explored, and an extra $100,000 will be allocated to the City’s business grants program.

Short-stay changes to be pursued

The City of Hobart will pursue actions to limit the number of new short-stay visitor accommodation planning permits that can be issued for self-catered, entire properties.

A process to amend local planning provisions will commence and the City will also lobby the state government to tighten their own regulations.

Since 2014, the City of Hobart has issued 440 planning permits for short-stay visitor accommodation.

The proposed actions do not impact any existing permit holders, or home owners who wish to let part of their homes or such as a granny flat on their properties. It also does not affect people who want to let their primary home while they are on holiday.

Any changes to the planning scheme would need to be approved by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, following further research and consultation.

New changerooms for New Town sports ground

The heavily used Clare Street Oval at New Town will receive new changerooms and toilets to meet modern standards.

The project will comprise demolition and replacement of the public toilets, refurbishment of existing changerooms and inclusion of a second set of changerooms and separate umpires’ facilities.

The project is part of an ongoing program to upgrade changeroom facilities at sports grounds across Hobart, and is jointly funded by the City of Hobart and the state government through its Levelling the Playing Field grant program.

Housing potential to be explored

The City of Hobart will investigate the potential of land, property and air rights under its ownership to be developed for social housing, as part of its commitment to addressing homelessness in the city.

In jointly moving a motion at tonight’s Council meeting, Ald Simon Behrakis and Cr Jax Ewin said it was timely that the Council consider real action to address homelessness.

“Council has assorted land and property assets around the city, some of which could potentially be utilised in partnership with the state government and relevant community housing providers for strategic public and social housing infill development,” they said.

Review of North Hobart parking

Parking arrangements at North Hobart will be revisited in coming weeks in response to a petition to remove parking meters recently installed on Elizabeth Street.

The Council heard that CEO Kelly Grigsby had commenced a comprehensive analysis of parking issues at North Hobart to address the petition, which was tabled at the previous Council meeting.

A report is due to be completed in three weeks and will be provided to the Council for consideration.

 

Building and planning statistics

The City of Hobart issued 50 building permits for projects with a combined estimated value of about $47.7 million during the month of July 2021. These a 68-unit residential development at 62 Patrick Street, Hobart.

In the 12 months to July 2021, a total of 655 building permits were issued, worth a combined $227.7 million. This is up from 615 permits during the previous 12 month period.

Also during July, 61 planning approvals were issued for projects worth approximately $10.8 million. A total of 833 planning permits were issued in the 12 months ending July 2021, with a combined value of more than $321.2 million.