Supplementary Agenda of Governance Committee Meeting

Item No. 10

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

Governance Committee Meeting

Page 3

30/5/2017

REPORT TITLE: State Government Election Lobbying Topics

REPORT PROVIDED BY: General Manager

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to seek the Council’s endorsement of a list of topics to lobby the State Government on in the lead up to the next State Election.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The next State Election is expected in March 2018.

2.2. The Council has a number of key strategic issues which it may wish to consider as topics to lobby the major parties.

2.3. These issues are:

Statewide Planning Scheme

City Deal

Capital City Act

Introduction of legislation to acquire public land on kunanyi / Mount Wellington

TasWater

2.4 These issues are discussed further in the report.

2.5 There may be other matters which the Council would also like to raise with the major parties.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The report be received and noted.

2. The Council endorse the following issues to lobby the major parties on in the lead up to the next State Election:

The Statewide Planning Scheme

City Deal

Capital City Act

Introduction of legislation to acquire public land on kunanyi / Mount Wellington

TasWater

3. The Council determine whether it has any additional issues it wishes to lobby the major parties on in the lead up to the next State Election.

4. Background

4.1. Given that the next State Election is expected in March 2018, or perhaps even sooner, it is considered timely that the Council identify some key issues which it would like to lobby the various political parties on in the lead up to the 2018 State Election.

4.2. There are a number of items which the Council may wish to pursue in the lead up to the election which are explored below.

Statewide Planning Scheme
Background: The Minister for Planning and Local Government made the State Planning Provisions (SPPs) on 22 February 2017. The Council made a representation to the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) in relation to the draft SPPs on a considerable number of issues related to the detailed drafting of various standards and provisions.

The drafting of the Local Provisions Schedule (LPS) in Hobart will mostly be a translation exercise from the existing Hobart Interim Planning, however there are some residual issues with the Statewide Planning Scheme which primarily relate to two issues, which are:

The need for review of the residential provisions. This issue was identified as part of the public consultation on the SPPs and consideration by the TPC. The Commission recognised the possibility of some deficiency in the provisions yet were not given sufficient time nor resources to undertake such a review. This review needs to be undertaken with the ability of the public and planning authorities to comment on and have hearings into the provisions.

The other issue of concern particularly in the Hobart context is the narrow nature of consideration of heritage values that the Tasmanian Heritage Council needs to consider as part of its assessment for proposals involving properties on the Tasmanian Heritage Register. Currently councils have the opportunity to consider the heritage values of these properties under the Heritage Code of the Planning Scheme and in Hobart’s case this has resulted in greater protection of the heritage values when tested in the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal. Under the Statewide Planning Scheme it is proposed to exclude Tasmanian heritage registered properties from consideration under the Heritage Codes of the Planning Scheme. Based on recent decisions this could seriously undermine the heritage fabric of the City.

Opportunity to lobby: The Council has the opportunity to lobby the major parties to obtain commitment from them to undertake a review of the residential provisions in the SPPs and that Tasmanian heritage registered properties are not excluded from consideration under the Heritage Codes of the Planning Scheme.

City Deal
Background: A City Deal is a mechanism incentivising governments (all three tiers), industry and communities to develop collective plans for growth and commit to the actions, investments, reforms and governance needed to implement them. The first three city deals are Launceston, Townsville and Western Sydney. Capital cities will not have to compete for a city deal, by virtue of their status, they will be awarded one.

The Council at its 5 December 2016 meeting authorised the Lord Mayor to commence discussions with the Premier, relevant Ministers and the Mayors of Clarence, Glenorchy and Kingborough with regard to a city deal. In addition the Council authorised the General Manager to commence discussions with the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet on this matter.

Despite the acknowledgement that capital cities will be awarded a city deal, there have been no further announcements from either the Australian Government or the State Government.

Opportunity to lobby: The Australian Government has indicated that all capital cities will be awarded a city deal but there has been no further announcements to this effect by either the State Government or the Australian Government. The Council has an opportunity to push the current State Government to be proactive and progress a city deal as well as lobby the other major parties on the Australian Government’s promise to ensure that a City Deal is forthcoming.

Capital City Act
Background: Hobart remains the only capital city without a Capital City Act (attached). The recently published Greater Hobart: Local Government Reform Final Feasibility Report concludes that a Capital City Act enhances strategic planning outcomes in the crucial areas of economic development, transport infrastructure, affordable housing, social inclusion and tourism. Any potential local government reform needs to promote the better management of the Greater Hobart region within the framework of a Capital City Act.

Opportunity to lobby: The Council has the opportunity to lobby the major parties to obtain commitment from them to legislate for a Capital City Act, particularly given that there has been little movement on the local government reform front.

Introduction of legislation to acquire public land on kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Background: In late February, the State Government announced plans to acquire land and enact new land ownership laws to help clear the way for a cable car development application. The Council has written to the State Government on two occasions with the latest letter raising a number of questions which Aldermen will have the opportunity to raise at a meeting with Minister Groom on 29 May 2017.

Opportunity to lobby: The Council has the opportunity to hold the State Government to account in relation to its announcement to acquire land and enact new land ownership laws to help clear the way for a cable car development application. The meeting with Minister Groom on 29 May 2017 may provide the Council with some answers, however, the process the Government has used thus far raises some questions about the State Government’s handling of this matter.

TasWater
Background: In March, the Premier and Treasurer announced that the State Government would take over responsibility for and control of TasWater. The Council resolved to reject the State Government’s plan, a position which has since been supported by a majority of other councils following a meeting of LGAT members on 11 May 2017.
The then Leader of the opposition pledged to keep TasWater in the hands of local councils if they were to win government at the next State Election.

Opportunity to lobby: Given the clear direction, the Council continue to lobby the major parties to obtain commitment from them that local government retains ownership of TasWater.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. If the Council is supportive of the issues included in this report, it is intended that they form the basis of a City of Hobart State Election Submission.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The City of Hobart’s Capital City Strategic Plan 2015-2025 calls upon the provision of capital city leadership as one of its strategic objectives. The identification of a range of key strategic issues to lobby the key parties on provides the Council with the opportunity to realise this objective.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. There are no financial obligations foreseen.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. There are no financial obligations foreseen.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. There are no financial obligations foreseen.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. None arise from the writing of this report.

9. Marketing and Media

9.1. There may be some interest from the media in relation to the issues the Council identifies it wishes to lobby on in the lead up to the next State Election.

10. Delegation

10.1. This matter is delegated to the Council for its consideration.

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.

N.D Heath

General Manager

Date: 26 May 2017

File Reference: F17/51891

Attachment a: Capital City Acts ⇩