Agenda of Special City Planning Committee Meeting

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special City Planning Committee Meeting

Page 6

3/4/2017

REPORT TITLE: European Union World Cities Project - Katowice Poland

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Environmental & Climate Change Projects Officer

Director City Planning

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report:

1.1.1. advises that the City of Hobart has been successful in its application to the European Union’s World Cities 2017 Australian initiative (the Project) and has been paired with the City of Katowice, Poland;

1.1.2. outlines the next steps in the Project; and

1.1.3. seeks the nomination of 5 representatives from the City, research institutions and private organisations that will comprise the City’s delegation to the project and advise the Project coordinators of the delegation by 7th April 2017.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The City of Hobart resolved its meeting on the 20^th February 2017 to submit an application to the European Union’s World Cities 2017 Australian initiative (the Project). It was advised on the 28 March 2017 that it was successful in its application and paired with the City of Katowice Poland.

2.2. The following outlines the Project’s key milestones/dates:

2.2.1. 7th April: City of Hobart to advise Project of delegation members.

2.2.2. April: RMIT project partner assists Australian cities to identify pilot projects.

2.2.3. 8 May: Introductory meeting of EU and Australian delegations in Melbourne.

2.2.4. 9 – 12 May: EU City delegation’s visit Australian pair cities.

2.2.5. October (5 days): Brussels, European week of Cities and Regions Conference and follow up meeting.

2.2.6. 2018, 3 days (date to be confirmed): follow up meeting in paired City.

2.3. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the Project.

2.4. It is noted that whilst the Council had recommended that Freiberg, Germany, be nominated as a prospective pair, the city was not included in the cities put forward by the European project counterparts. It is further noted that the selection is undertaken by the European and Australian Project coordinators. Other successful Australian cities are: Adelaide, Canberra and Melbourne, however their paired cities will not be released until final arrangements are known.

2.5. To progress its application the City is required to nominate its delegation to the Project consisting of 5 representatives from the City, private organisations and research institutions. It needs to formally advise the Project of its delegation by Friday 7^th April 2017.

2.6 The City had previously approached the University of Tasmania to be part of its delegation and they had provided a letter of support to the City’s application noting a preference to pair with Freiburg. The Acting General Manager has now formally written to the Vice Chancellor advising of the pairing with the City of Katowice and seeking their nomination for a representative to the City of Hobart delegation

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council nominate Aldermanic and external representation to form a delegation of five (5) from Hobart, to attend the European Union’s World Cities 2017 Australian initiative, with any specific Council officer nominations within the delegation being determined by the General Manager.

2. A media release be prepared announcing the success of the Council in its selection to participate in the European Union’s World Cities 2017 Australian initiative.

4. Background

4.1. The Project is auspiced by the EU-Australia Partnership Framework in coordination with the Delegation of the European Union to Australia.

4.2. The Project pairs invited Australian cities with EU cities to undertake a pilot project across the themes of Urban Economy (start ups, policies and innovation), mobility (smart city etc.) and green development (including issues of circular economy), and may include cooperation on issues relevant to mitigate and adapt to climate change including energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.

4.3. Other successful Australian Project cities are: Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne however their paired cities have not been publically released until final arrangements have been made.

4.4. The Project includes three key meetings of the paired cities:

4.4.1. Preliminary ‘kick-off’ meeting and working visit in Melbourne and host Australian city (5 days: 8 – 12 May 2017).

4.4.2. Follow up meeting in Brussels during the European week of Cities and Regions (5 days – October 2017).

4.4.3. Final meeting in paired city (3 days – early 2018).

4.5. The EU will cover travel and meetings costs for a delegation of up to 5 people to attend the meetings.

4.6. The EU project team will support and assist participating cities to identify and develop a pilot project for implementation in the short term including urban innovation (smart city) and green technologies (energy efficiencies, low carbon development.

4.7. The Project encourages collaboration with the private sector and research institutions, which will form part of the City’s delegation to the project.

4.8. The invitation letter from the World Cities states that ‘The delegation is ideally to consist of 5 representatives and should ideally include up to 2 representatives from the local administration as well as private sector representatives (e.g. sector associations, clusters) and research institutions that can work with local governments on the identified topics during preparation of the meeting.’

4.9. To progress the Project the City is required to nominate representatives to the Project coordinators by 7 April 2017. Verbal advice from Project coordinators indicates that representatives may change, however, it is preferred that there are a core of at least two or three representatives to the Project.

4.10. It is further noted that the meetings with Katowice in Hobart in May will provide an opportunity for the Council and other key stakeholders, private and public, to hold discussions and meetings with the Katowice delegation.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. The nomination of participants within the Hobart delegation is a matter for the Council, however, it is suggested that it include one representative from the University of Tasmania, and two Council officers consisting of a project officer and senior manager as determined by the General Manager. In determining the delegation the Council may also wish to consider whether a representative from the private sector should be included with a subsequent reduction in the representation from the Council.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The Project is consistent with a number of the Strategic Plan’s objectives including:

6.1.1. 1.2 Enhance partnerships with State Government key investors and economic players in research, education, arts, culture and tourism.

6.1.2. 1.3 Support and facilitate the University of Tasmania’s progressive campus growth into the City.

6.1.3. 1.4 Improve Hobart’s international relations and international recognition.

6.1.4. 2.9 Develop and manage the City’s urban spaces and infrastructure.

6.1.5. 3.1 Show leadership in addressing and responding to climate change impacts.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The EU will meet the full financial costs of the projects meeting and travel requirements.

7.1.2. The City of Hobart would cover the costs of incidental expenditure associated with the meetings, and officer time to participate in the project.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. Any programs and initiatives stemming from this project with financial implications for future years budgets would be the subject of a further report, if and when they become known.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Any programs and initiatives stemming from this project with impact on assets would be the subject of a further report if and when they become known.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. None arise from this report.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. World Cities ultimate goal is to strengthen market opportunities and job creation while pursuing the sustainable economic development of the cities involved, thus fostering win-win cooperation for the local and broader community.

10. Marketing and Media

10.1. The project will present a range of marketing and media opportunities for the City of Hobart to promote urban sustainability and resilience. A communication strategy will be prepared for the project to optimise engagement and outcomes however it would be appropriate to announce the Council’s success in being selected to participate in this project.

11. Delegation

11.1. The nomination of the Aldermanic and external representation on the delegation is a matter for the Council.

11.2. Any Council officer participation within the delegation is delegated to the General Manager

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Katrina Graham Signature

Katrina Graham

Environmental & Climate Change Projects Officer

Neil Noye Signature

Neil Noye

Director City Planning

Date: 31 March 2017

File Reference: F17/32353; 17-050-24

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