Media release – City of Hobart, 17 July 2023

News from tonight’s council meeting

Battery Point Walkway

Hobart City Council has endorsed a motion amended by Cr Dutta and Cr Posselt to undertake an assessment of the feasibility of a Battery Point Walkway.

The concept of a shared accessway around Battery Point will also be considered as part of the development of the Sandy Bay / Mount Nelson Neighbourhood Plan.

The initial community engagement to develop the Neighbourhood Plan is underway with a discussion paper to be released for feedback later in 2023.

The City of Hobart has a long-held commitment to improve walking and cycling accessibility throughout Hobart.

Draft South Hobart Oval and Park Master Plan

The Hobart City Council has approved a draft Master Plan for the South Hobart Oval and Park aimed at updating one of Hobart’s most popular sporting and recreational facilities.

The master plan will aim to upgrade or replace the sports pavilion, oval and courts, playground, landscaping and improve the accessibility of paths connecting the different facilities between the oval and park.

The draft master plan will be released for four weeks public exhibition and the council has also approved a coordinated program of community engagement across local and broader community and key stakeholder groups.

Intergovernmental Relations Framework and Advocacy Strategy 2023-2027 and Advocacy Priorities 2023-2024

The Hobart City Council has endorsed an updated Intergovernmental relations Framework and Advocacy Strategy 2023-2027 which aims to enhance the City’s ongoing relationships with other levels of government and improve the City’s capacity to advocate for decisions and resources that meet the needs of the Hobart community.

The Council also approved its advocacy priorities for 2023-24:

  • addressing housing access and affordability
  • boosting Hobart’s Antarctic and Science sectors
  • accelerating climate action and building local resilience
  • investing in community sport infrastructure
  • unlocking Hobart’s potential as a visitor destination
  • diversifying transport options through investment in transport infrastructure

Council’s representation to the Tasmanian Planning Commission regarding the draft Tasmanian Planning Policies

The Hobart City Council has endorsed a report to the Tasmanian Planning Commission regarding the draft Tasmanian Planning Policies (TPPs).

A number of suggestions have been made that will ensure a successful implementation of the TPPs. The suggestions cover issues such as protection of vistas and landscapes in planning, encouraging active transport links, natural disaster planning, and ensuring compatibility with structure plans such as the Central Hobart Plan.

The City of Hobart looks forward to providing further input into future stages of the Tasmanian Planning Reforms and Reviews.

City of Hobart feedback on the Tasmanian Housing Strategy Exposure Draft

City of Hobart feedback on the Tasmanian Housing Strategy Exposure Draft

The Hobart City Council has endorsed a submission on the Tasmanian Housing Strategy Exposure Draft. The feedback provided will inform the final Tasmanian Housing Strategy which is due for release later in 2023.

The City of Hobart is acutely aware of the current housing crisis both in the capital and across the state.

We are committed to working with all levels of government and the community sector to alleviate the problems and work towards a solution.

The City has an Affordable Housing and Homelessness Commitment 2021-23 that details the City’s role and priorities in relation to supporting the community in relation to having access to safe and affordable housing.

Media release – City of Hobart, 18 July 2023

Take a deep breath on the morning commute

Early morning Derwent Ferry commuters are being treated to ‘wet breath exchange’ performances every morning this week until Friday, led by local artist Hannah Foley and supported by the City of Hobart through a Creative Hobart grant.

The free performances aim to connect performer and passengers to the flow of the river and with any luck, to breathe within the famous Bridgewater Jerry – the fog that forms in the valley on cold winter mornings.

Creative City Portfolio Chair, Cr John Kelly said the City was proud to support this performance through its Creative Hobart grants program, which is aimed at bringing art out of the gallery and into the community.

“Hobart has a growing reputation as a hub for arts and culture in Australia. By supporting artists to integrate work into the everyday we enliven our city and embed creativity as a way of life in Hobart.

“The Bridgewater Jerry is an incredible natural phenomenon which any local will be familiar with. Hannah’s work encourages us to take a moment at the start of our busy day to stop and breathe in the natural beauty around us,” Cr Kelly said.

Artist and Creative Hobart grant recipient Hannah Foley said the project aims to strengthen our communal connection to local ecology.

“The Bridgewater Jerry has been quiet this winter, with the strange new weathers we’ve experienced.

“Through these performances, I hope we might conjure the Jerry’s presence – or perhaps contemplate the absence, as a signal of our impacts on the hydrological world,” Ms Foley said.

Aeriform Archive and Wet Breath Exchange is a free event (other than the cost of your ferry ticket).

When: Monday 17 to Friday 21 July, 6am-9am

Where: Derwent Ferry, departing Brooke St Pier and the Bellerive Pier.