News from tonight’s Hobart City Council meeting 28 January 2025

News from tonight’s Hobart City Council meeting 28 January 2025

Published on 28 January 2025

Petition – Collins Street Cycleway - Request for Public Meeting

The City of Hobart has received a petition calling for a public meeting on the Collins Street transformation trial project, with 1,489 signatures submitted on 29 November 2024 and 201 more on 6 January 2025. However, only 970 signatories were verified against electoral rolls, falling short of the required 1,000. The petitioner can continue submitting signatures, and Council will proceed with preparatory work for a public meeting in anticipation of reaching the threshold. Formal advice will be given to the petitioner regarding the petition's current status.

West Hobart Local Area Mobility Plan

Following an extensive community engagement process which found 73% of respondents expressing general support for the local area mobility plan (LAMP)Council has endorsed the West Hobart LAMP, which aims to improve safety for people choosing to walk or ride bikes  by identifying key routes  and implementing safety and accessibility measures for destinations like schools, shops, parks, and bus stops.

The plan includes proposed intersection upgrades to make it safer for people walking, riding and driving through the suburb, as well as the trial of a speed limit reduction in West Hobart.

Some of the key traffic safety initiatives identified through the engagement process included two priority projects: intersection upgrades at Arthur/Mellifont and Hill Street, and a reduced speed limit zone.

86% support for a 40km/h speed limit trial. 71% prefer a roundabout at Arthur/Mellifont with safer pedestrian crossings. Initial solution: continuous footpath with pedestrian priority at Arthur/Hill. Community strongly supports safer traffic speeds. Wombat Crossings planned for Hill and Mellifont to slow traffic and improve safety. 'Calm Streets' initiative promotes safer, pedestrian-friendly streets. Seven sites identified for safer crossings and footpaths.

The actions identified in the plan will require further planning, community consultation and detailed design, and funding consideration, before they can be implemented. The West Hobart LAMP is an action from the City of Hobart’s 2024 Transport Strategy. The concepts of LAMPS are not new with the City developing LAMPs previously in the Northern Suburbs (Lenah Valley, New Town and Mount Stuart) and for Battery Point.

Annual Plan Progress Report for the period ending 31 December 2024

The Council has noted the 2024-25 Annual Plan Progress Report. Of the 28 major actions, two have been completed, 17 are on track, and nine have faced some delays. Completed projects include the Transport Strategy, Parking and Kerbside Management Plan, and the 2040 Climate Ready Hobart Strategy. Key initiatives are progressing well and among these include expanding the Derwent ferry service, campaigns and activations to boost local business visitation, developing a regional sports facility plan, and planning for kunanyi/Mount Wellington’s future.

Proposed delegation – Planning

The Council has approved a delegation to officers, allowing developers an additional two years to substantially commence their planning permits, in line with recent State Government amendments to the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

Cornelian Bay Track Notice of Motion – Cr Ben Lohberger

Following a lengthy section of the Cornelian Bay track being closed since late last year due to storm damage, the City of Hobart will prepare a report on either repairing the damaged section of the Cornelian Bay track or replace, to ensure safe public access to one of Hobart’s most popular short walks.

Additionally, the report will also look into the possibility of transferring ownership of the land from the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens for more logical and effective management.  

Rabbits in Hobart Notice of Motion – Cr Ben Lohberger

The Lord Mayor will write to the relevant Minister and request the State Government communicate with Hobart residents about the growing rabbit influx within the city, its control measures, and to provide advance notice of any future poison baiting programs.

In addition, a request will be made to the State Government to understand what the future production of the calicivirus looks like.