News from Council Meeting - 15 February 2022

Published on 15 February 2022

A business directory is being developed to allow customers to locate businesses that have adapted to meet changing needs as a result of COVID-19.

It’s among a range of initiatives that have been introduced to assist businesses to address the ongoing challenges resulting from the pandemic.

A report tabled at tonight’s Council meeting provided an update on the various initiatives, including the addition of street furniture and bean bags in public spaces to encourage people to spend more time in the city and gather safely outdoors.

The report also stated that eight local businesses had so far taken up the opportunity to apply for an extension of their outdoor dining footprint.

The City of Hobart will host a series of stakeholder roundtable discussions to lead a coordinated approach to COVID-19 recovery in Hobart.

The first consultative roundtables will be held next month and will comprise discussions with a number of community and industry leaders.

It is hoped that the discussions will lead to growth in key employment sectors to support broader economic recovery, through the development of a 10-year Economic Development Strategy.

During the month of January 2021, 38 planning permits were approved by the City of Hobart for projects worth a combined estimated $9.2 million.

In the 12 months ending in January, there were 738 planning approvals totalling $285.2 million in project value.

Also during January, there were 33 building permits issued for projects worth $13.4 million, including a $3 million extension to a residential unit project in North Hobart.

A total of 647 building permits worth $178.9 million were issued in the 12 months ending in January 2022.

The City of Hobart will explore the feasibility, including costs, of installing an electric vehicle fast-charger at the Town Hall to support elected members in switching to EVs.

The City already provides a metered fast-charger at the Dunn Place carpark and free trickle chargers at the Hobart Central car park for public use.

Installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support more sustainable transport options is identified in the Connected Hobart and Sustainable Hobart action plans.