News from Council Meeting - 16 December 2021
Published on 16 December 2021
Minute’s silence for Devonport tragedy
The Hobart City Council started this evening’s meeting with a minute’s silence to recognise the tragic event in Devonport today in which several children sadly lost their lives.
The Council will write to their Devonport City Council counterparts to express their condolences to all involved in or affected by the tragedy.
Social housing developments approved
More than 75 new social residential accommodation units have been approved across two Hobart developments.
Two separate planning applications – for 50 and 26 residential units respectively – were unanimously supported at tonight’s Council meeting.
The approval follow the endorsement earlier this month of the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Commitment 2021-23, which recognises the shortage of social housing in Hobart and identifies the Council’s role to advocate for and support more social housing projects in the city.
A development project in Campbell Street will expand on existing residential accommodation to provide 26 studio-style units for youths who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, plus communal facilities and support resources.
In Harrington Street, an extension to the former Waratah Hotel will result in a new five-storey building containing 50 residential units as well as dining rooms, offices, and space for support services.
The complex will provide crisis accommodation and short-term housing solutions, including transitional mental health units.
Planning and building statistics
The City of Hobart issued 52 planning permits during the month of November 2021 to projects with a combined estimated value of more than $14.2 million.
Among the approved projects are five new single homes, 23 multiple dwellings and six commercial projects.
In the 12-month period ending November 2021, the City issued 775 planning permits worth a combined $257.6 million.
Also during November, 44 building permits were issued for projects with a combined estimated value of $23.5 million. In the 12 months to November 2021, a total of 618 building permits were issued to the value of $251.2 million.
Tram museum approved
A proposal for a new building at the Regatta Grounds to refurbish and showcase heritage trams has been approved by Council.
The City of Hobart partnered with the volunteer-run Hobart Tram Restoration and Museum Society Inc to engage architects to develop plans for submission.
A proposal for a 470m2 building to display a collection of heritage trams on Council land was unanimously supported by Council at tonight’s meeting.
The Hobart Tram Restoration and Museum Society Inc will now seek external funding to deliver the proposed project.
Plan to manage rivulet vegetation
A vegetation management plan has been developed to provide a strategic approach to revegetation and management activities along the Hobart Rivulet.
The plan identifies and prioritises projects that will enhance both the health of the rivulet and support native habitat. These include the removal and eradication of invasive weeds and trees that can cause damage to native waterways, including large willow trees.
The Hobart Rivulet stretches 9.5kms, originating near The Springs. Revegetation projects are well supported by the community through the City’s volunteer Bushcare program.