News from Council Meeting - 28 March 2022

Published on 28 March 2022

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Proposed planning scheme changes to undergo public consultation

As part of the City of Hobart’s commitment to housing affordability, a draft amendment to the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme 2015 will be released for public consultation.

The City of Hobart’s affordable housing and homelessness commitment 2021-23 discusses limiting entire house short-stay permits as one of the measures that the City of Hobart may consider to address affordable housing issues. In a report presented to Council, it was assessed that adding a specific qualification for ‘Visitor accommodation’ to various residential zones is an effective method of achieving policy intent.

Any change will relate to the potential regulation of new applications for entire-home short-stay accommodation permits, and will not affect existing permit holders. The draft amendment excludes ‘ancillary dwellings’ as defined in the Interim Planning Scheme.

“We are starting a journey tonight to rebalance the use of residential accommodation,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.

“It’s not about picking on short stay accommodation, it’s about looking at a whole range of issues that effect supply. This has been a really fast trend that has caught up with us, and most cities around the country are dealing with similar conversations as we are now.”

The draft amendment will now be put to public consultation as the next step in the process. The final outcome of the proposed amendment will be decided by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

 

Development statistics

During the month of February 2022, the City of Hobart provided planning approval for 47 development projects worth approximately $11.5 million in total.

Among the project approved was one major project worth $5 million.

In the 12 months ending February 2022, the City approved 733 planning applications worth a combined $286 million.

Also during February, 53 building permits were issued to the value of more than $17 million. This included new commercial buildings in North Hobart and Sandy Bay, worth a combined $6.95 million.

In the 12 months to February 2022, a total of 607 building permits were issued for projects worth a combined $261 million.

 

Business and Community Survey results noted

In response to a motion from Alderman Simon Behrakis, Council noted the results of the recent Business and Community Surveys, including the mostly positive responses, and that the greatest concern was the provision and availability of parking.

During discussion, Council acknowledged that preparation of a report was underway in response to a community petition tabled in October 2021 that raises concerns about parking fees.

 

Soldiers Memorial Avenue action plan

A new management plan prepared for Soldiers Memorial Avenue has been endorsed by Council as the guiding document for ongoing management of the heritage-listed site.

A 2.5km walk on the eastern side of the Queens Domain, Soldiers Memorial Avenue covers around 14ha. It was registered to the Tasmanian Heritage Register in 2021, along with the South African (Boer) War Memorial and the 2/40th Battalion monument, which are situated either side of the Bridge of Remembrance.

The Soldiers Memorial Action Plan 2022-2032 details steps for maintenance and regulation on development within the site, and will be made available on the City’s website for public viewing.

 

North Hobart Pocket Park Upgrade

The pocket park on Wilson Street in North Hobart has been endorsed by council for continued support in landscaping and upgrading.

Previously planned works were delayed after funding was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has been reviewed after community feedback.

 

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