Media release – YIMBY Hobart, 23 January 2025

Short stay accommodation saga highlights need for action on medium-density regulations

YIMBY Hobart is calling for a speeding-up of reforms to Tasmania’s planning rules following Hobart City Council’s rejection of a proposed 12 unit short-stay accommodation development in Sandy Bay.

The group argues that overly prescriptive medium-density standards – such as private open space, car parking and ‘neighborhood character’ requirements – stymied initial plans for residential apartments on the site.

While acknowledging concerns about planning carve-outs for short-stay accommodation, YIMBY Hobart believes the real problem lies in rigid planning regulations for medium-density and infill developments that prevent diverse, well-located homes from being built.

The group commends the State Government’s recent efforts to streamline residential zoning but say more must be done – such as relaxing private open space rules, raising height limits and removing vague ‘compatibility’ mandates.

Quotes attributable to YIMBY Hobart spokesperson Lachlan Rule:

“People value different things in a home – planners shouldn’t dictate one-size-fits-all design rules. If we’d had less restrictive medium-density rules in place in 2019, we wouldn’t be having this conversation because the building would already be built.”

Quotes attributable to YIMBY Hobart spokesperson Susan Wallace:

“It shouldn’t be easier to build permanent Airbnbs than actual homes. That is a truly perverse outcome.

“Yes we need to shut down loop-holes for short-stay developments, but we also need to relax requirements for a wide range of medium-density and infill residential developments.”



Media release – City of Hobart, 22 January 2025

News from tonight’s Hobart City Council Planning Authority Committee meeting

9 Star Street, Sandy Bay

The Hobart City Council Planning Authority Committee has refused a development application for visitor accommodation (12 units) for 9 Star Street, Sandy Bay, on several grounds including the incompatibility of the proposal with surrounding development in relation to its proposed street frontage and overall scale.

50 Macquarie Street, Hobart (Maritime Museum)

The Hobart Planning Authority Committee has approved a development application for signage at 50 Macquarie Street, Hobart.

The proposal includes several interpretive signs: one in the door alcove on Davey Street, one on a Corten frame at the eastern corner facing Davey Street, and two on the Argyle Street frontage—one midway along the Maritime Museum on a Corten frame, and another near the entrance on a Corten frame. None of the signs will be illuminated.

479 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay

The Hobart City Council Planning Authority Committee has approved a development application for signage at 479 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay.

The proposal includes six signs: a pole/pylon sign, a window sign, two painted wall signs (one facing Sandy Bay Road and one marking the restaurant entrance), a vertical projecting lightbox sign for the restaurant entrance, and an illuminated vertical projecting sign on the corner canopy. It is a condition that the “Jet Service Station” must remain unchanged to preserve the heritage values of the site (as required by the Tasmanian Heritage Council).

Office Level Development Applications approved between 28 November 2024 and 13 January 2025

Between Hobart City Council Planning Authority Committee meetings, the City’s Planning Officers are busy reviewing a range of residential and commercial development applications for Hobart.

Since the last meeting, 60 development applications delegated to council officers were also approved while 51 development applications were advertised for public input.

A reminder that the Council has a planner on duty during office hours which members of the community can call through our Customer Services to check to see whether any development or work to a garden will require planning approval.

Further information about the proposals can be found in the Planning Committee agenda here.