News from tonight’s council meeting

Published on 29 August 2023

AFL High Performance Centre

The Hobart City Council has recommended that Cornelian Bay and the Queens Domain should not be considered as suitable for a potential Tasmanian AFL team high performance training and administration facility.

Additionally, the Council resolved to seek an urgent meeting with the Minister and endorsed an approach that involves all Greater Hobart Councils collectively under the Greater Hobart Act.

An amendment was also passed that the Council work with the Tasmanian government and southern Tasmanian councils for an overall plan for sporting facilities across all codes for outdoor sport.

Status of the Urban Canopy on Public and Private Land

The Hobart City Council will allocate $20,000 from the 2024-25 budget onwards for promoting and facilitating increasing tree canopy cover on private land.

A report notes urban tree canopy decline in many suburbs and, aside from promoting more tree planting and retention on private land, Council will ensure tree canopy is a key consideration for its projects.

The Council will also engage with the State Government to identify urban sites and negotiate to enhance urban tree canopy.

North Hobart Neighbourhood Plan Discussion Paper

The Hobart City Council has endorsed the release of the North Hobart Neighbourhood Plan Discussion Paper and the North Hobart Neighbourhood Plan Economic Assessment.

The neighbourhood plan will include recommendations and guidance for planning policies, and planning scheme amendments, and projects, such as public infrastructure provision funding and public realm improvements, which support sustainable growth in North Hobart over the next 20 years.

The Discussion Paper includes a Plan Vision, four Directions, and fifteen ideas, with stakeholders and the community invited to provide input and feedback throughout the month of September 2023.

Lease –Part of 1 Bell Street, New Town in Tasmania

The Hobart City Council has recommended to grant a 10-year lease to the Hobart Community Shed for a vacant parcel of land situated at 1 Bell Street, New Town in Tasmania for the purposes of constructing a community shed for both men and women to service the Hobart municipal area.

International Relations Policy

The Hobart City Council has replaced the Guidelines for Future International Relations Policy with the new International Relations Policy aimed at recognising and articulating the scope of the City’s international relations activities.

Key updates will include greater focus on achieving strategic alignment with our international relations activities, guidelines for engaging international relations, a former framework, and a business case template.

Importantly, the Council note that the City of Hobart’s existing international relationships will be managed within the framework of the new Policy going forward.

Further, a discussion paper will be prepared and provided to the Council to set the strategic direction for future international partnerships.

Climate Change Leadership: Transport Emissions – Notice of Motion (Cr Ben Lohberger)

The Hobart City Council has agreed to demonstrate leadership on reducing emissions and will limit interstate and overseas air travel for elected members and staff to events where there is a compelling need to fly, with a decision to be determined by the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate.

Talent Acquisition Policy Update – Notice of Motion (Cr Louise Elliot)

The Hobart City Council will update its Talent Acquisition Policy and Procedure to strengthen its parameters around direct appointments.

Included in this motion is a review of the conflict-of-interest identification and management strategies and for any other updates required as per the Integrity Commission’s Ensuring Recruitment in Tasmanian Councils is Merit-Based Report.