News from Council Meeting - 17 December 2020

Published on 17 December 2020

The City of Hobart will investigate consider whether it can or should amend existing rules around short stay visitor accommodation.

The current planning regulations are set by the state government and require that most applications for short stay accommodation (SSA) be approved by the Council.

The motion seeks independent advice from staff on whether there is a need for the City to seek amendments to these state planning laws and the process that would need to be taken if supported.

In their joint motion to Council, Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Cr Jax Ewin said a large number of rental properties in Hobart had been converted to short stay properties in the past two years.

“The impact of SSA on the private rental market here in Hobart is now well-documented,” the movers said. “We as a Council have a duty of care to our community to explore all mechanisms available to us, in order to facilitate more equitable housing outcomes in our city.”

A COVID-19 Economic Response and Recovery Framework and Action Plan has been endorsed by the Council.

The framework sets the guiding ideas behind the City’s approach to economic response and recovery work. The action plan is designed to be more flexible and to adapt to the changing economic situation in the city.

The action plan contains 29 actions that aim to better understand what is needed within the community, build business and community economic resilience, and provide responsive local government.

Among the actions already undertaken are the publishing of social inclusion dashboards, creation of a business consultative group, establishment of new grant streams, and the adoption of a local preference procurement policy.

The City of Hobart will engage with the Local Government Association of Tasmania, the Tasmania Fire Service and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre to jointly produce a guide for residents on how to cost effectively retrofit bushfire protection to existing houses.

The action follows on from a review of ember attack threat in Hobart and consideration around developing an ember attack strategy.

Advice relating to ember attack defence will be incorporated into the City’s Bushfire Management Strategy part of a review of the Strategy and a community engagement program will promote the information when available.

The first Council meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday 27 January. The Parks and Recreation Committee will be the first Council Committee to meet in the new year, scheduled for Thursday 14 January.

The full meeting schedule can be viewed on the City of Hobart website.