News from Council Meeting - 31 March 2021
Published on 31 March 2021
Sign permitted to stay
A large banner affixed to a tree along Huon Road as part of Naidoc Week will be permitted to stay.
The vertical banner reads “Always Was Always Will Be” and was believed to be a temporary installation as part of Naidoc Week in November 2020. An application has now been received for the banner to be retained permanently.
City of Hobart staff have inspected the sign to ensure it does not pose a risk to the safety of passers-by or to the health of the tree.
The Council resolved that, in line with the strong commitment in the City of Hobart’s Capital City Strategic Plan 2019-29 to celebrate and support Tasmanian Aboriginal community, heritage and culture, the relevant signage policy be waived in this instance.
A permit will be granted for the sign and will be reviewed annually and reissued as deemed appropriate.
In-kind support for Dark Mofo
The City of Hobart’s long-term support of Dark Mofo is set to continue, with the Council resolving to provide significant in-kind funding for this year’s event.
Nearly $200,000 will be invested as a grant to provide the equipment required to deliver the 2021 Winter Feast.
Policy helps residents experiencing hardship
An amended Financial Hardship Assistance Policy will ensure people who are having difficulty paying their rates will have access to support measures, once a temporary COVID-19 rates remission scheme ends.
The amended policy will replace an interim measure that had been put in place to assist people impacted financially by COVID-19.
Applications under the temporary COVID-19 rates remission scheme will close on 30 June this year, with any future applications to be considered under the City’s revised Financial Hardship Assistance Policy.
“More than $4 million in rates relief was initially made available through our COVID-19 response,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said. “It’s a positive sign for our community that the applications received totalled only a small portion of the available assistance.
“But we know the impacts of COVID are ongoing, and will become more visible with the end of the federal Jobkeeper arrangements. It’s important that people in our community understand that there is assistance available in times of financial hardship.
“If residents or businesses owners are experiencing difficulty paying their rates, they should get in contact with the City as soon as possible to access the available assistance measures.”
Information on how to apply for financial hardship assistance can be found at hobartcity.com.au/rates-assistance.
White Ribbon Workplace accreditation
A report will be presented to Council detailing the process for obtaining accreditation of the City of Hobart as a White Ribbon Workplace.
Cr Zelinda Sherlock, who moved the motion, said the White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Program had reached more than 230 workplaces and 600,000 employees nationally.
“The program engenders a whole-of-organisation commitment to stop violence against women, meeting 15 criteria under three standards to create a safer and more respectful workplace,” Cr Sherlock said.
“It recognises workplaces that are taking active steps to stop violence against women and builds on existing gender equality and diversity initiatives, providing the tools to strengthen a culture of respect and gender equality at all levels of the organisation.”
Final meeting for GM
General Manager Nick Heath tonight attended his 293rd and final Council meeting with the City of Hobart.
Mr Heath will step down from the role next week, following 36 years with the City of Hobart and 12 as General Manager.
At tonight’s Council meeting, Elected Members spoke of Mr Heath’s professionalism, guidance, advice and his service to the community over many years.
During his time as GM, Mr Heath has worked with five Lord Mayors and 40 Elected Members and attended a mammoth 293 Council meetings.