Hobartians provide a roadmap to improve Hobart’s liveability

HOBART is still ranked one of the best places to live in the nation in terms of natural environment, an attractive and safe place to live, as well as, being affordable, but in most other aspects of lifestyle, the State’s capital still has a long way to go.

The results are part of the Property Council of Australia’s survey My City: The People’s Views, undertaken by Auspoll, which canvassed more than 400 Hobartians’ views on our capital city’s liveability.

According to the Property Council of Australia, Tasmania Division Executive Director, Mary Massina, respondents to the 2011 My City Survey believe the capital city had room to improve in the key areas of education, schools, tax, affordable housing, public transport and good employment and economic opportunities.

“While Hobart was the only city to rate lower in 2011, dropping two places in ranking to 60.1, respondents have clearly stated where decision makers could improve liveability aspects,” Ms Massina said.

“On the up side, Hobart ranked second most liveable city in the areas of natural environment, attractive and safe place to live, and being affordable.

“However, Hobartians ranked the city seventh out of ten cities in areas such as vibrant cultural entertainment and having a good balance of different housing. They also ranked Hobart eighth out of ten when it came to good school and educational facilities, as well as, good public transport.

Ms Massina said unfortunately, Hobart was at the bottom of the ten cities when Hobartians were asked to rank health care services and good employment and economic opportunities.

“In addition to the liveability aspects, Hobartians were also asked to rate the government’s performance in areas such as tax, planning and urban growth as well as infrastructure,” Ms Massina said.
Ms Massina said in this respect government came in third last, equal with the Victorian Government in the overall performance.

“As seen in last year’s My City Survey, Hobartians saw that the government’s performance was poor in providing infrastructure and keeping up with demand, making housing more affordable and finally providing a fair level of tax in buying and selling of property,” Ms Massina said.

“As Hobartians, we know that we live in a unique place in Australia but we also know that we have an opportunity to dramatically improve our liveability to make Hobart work.

“I encourage all Hobartians and state and local government to work together and seize the opportunity to improve. Hobartians have given clear riding instructions about what works and what doesn’t.

“We need to translate those instructions into action.

“We know from this Survey and the Development Assessment Report Card that a strategic capital city plan which drives economic growth for Hobart through a 30 year horizon for infrastructure and land supply is imperative.

“Our community wants to ensure that the six metropolitan councils set aside parochial politics so we have a consistent vision across greater Hobart and simple things such as AFL football is supported by all councils regardless of where it is played.

“Importantly, this Survey clearly shows that the Hobart community wants the State Government to acknowledge what Hobartians are saying and drive reform so our capital city improves in key areas that facilitates employment and economic opportunities.

“All sections of the community have a responsibility to make Hobart work – lets see the Survey’s results as an opportunity and a good first step in addressing those key issues of liveability.”

“This week the Property Council is launching a new national campaign – Make My City Work – to shine a spotlight on our cities and engage the community in a discussion on how they grow and evolve.

“In Tasmania, this campaign will focus on giving Tasmania a brighter future. We want to engage directly with the community and hear their ideas on how we make Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport the envy of Australia.”

For more details on Make My City Work visit: www.makemycitywork.org.au