News from the Hobart City Council meeting

Published on 20 February 2024

New Town Sporting Precinct Master Plan – Design Concepts and Plans

New design and concepts and plans supporting the delivery of the New Town Sport Precinct Master Plan have been endorsed by the Hobart City Council.

Previously endorsed in June 2019, the Master Plan outlines a comprehensive vision for the precinct's development, with actions identified to meet current and future demands.

Key improvements include additional netball courts, an indoor show court, enhanced parking, and traffic management, upgraded facilities, and new amenities.

The proposed design concepts and plans capture these improvements and provide a framework for staged implementation.

This endorsement by the Council enables further refinement of the design and to facilitate funding submissions by both the Council and sporting clubs.

Clubs can now begin seeking funding, and further engagement will be undertaken as needed to ensure the successful realisation of the Master Plan's objectives. As part of the overall advocacy strategy, the City of Hobart will continue to seek funding for these important community assets.

Quarterly Financial Report – 31 December 2023

As of December 31, 2023, the City of Hobart has reported an operating deficit of $4.8 million, with a projected deficit of $2.5 million for the full 2023-24 Budget.

The projected deficit reflects a slight reduction in revenue from fees and charges, and an increase in expenditure for materials and services.

Additionally, $10.5 million, or 29.5% of the annual capital budget of $35 million, has been spent on capital activities, including plant and equipment.

The Hobart City Council noted the Quarterly Financial Report – 31 December 2023, and has approved proposed Operational and Capital Works variation requests to update the City's 2023-24 Budget Estimates.

City of Hobart Rating and Valuation Strategy Review – Review of Rates Policies

The Hobart City Council has approved changes to some of its rates policies and confirmed existing policy positions for others, as part of the City’s review of its rating and valuation strategy.

During the recent community consultation period, the City of Hobart received 33 written submissions and 61 survey responses.

These changes will align them with the rates community benefit objective outlined in the Capital City Strategic Plan 2023 to maintain a rating system that supports fairness, capacity to pay and effectiveness.

The decisions include continuing funding stormwater removal and waste management services by a service rate and charge respectively, maintaining payment of rates by instalment and current due dates with no discount for early payment.

Additionally, the Council will redirect the $10 Council contribution to the pensioner rates discount towards the 2024-25 budget. These changes will take effect from 1 July 2024 for the 2024-25 rating year and onwards.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer – Local Government Review

The Hobart City Council has approved the City of Hobart's submission in response to the Final Report and 37 recommendations from the Minister for Local Government.

Additionally, the Council authorised the Chief Executive Officer to finalise and submit the response to the Tasmanian State Government, and to engage in processes necessary for the implementation of recommendations aligned with Council policy.

Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer will continue to collaborate with counterparts at the Glenorchy City Council to identify opportunities for increased cooperation and report back to the Council accordingly.

The City of Hobart is already working together on a range of initiatives such as the Greater Hobart Strategic Partnership, the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor and the bushfire awareness project, Sparking Conversations, Igniting Action – to name just a few.