Supplementary Agenda of City Planning Committee Meeting

Item No. 11

Supplementary Agenda (Open Portion)

City Planning Committee Meeting

Page 5

15/10/2018

REPORT TITLE: European Union World Cities Hobart Katowice

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Environmental & Climate Change Projects Officer

Director City Planning

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The City of Hobart and the City of Katowice, Poland were partnered in the European Union’s (EU) World Cities program (2017 – 2018) to share knowledge and experience on urban development.

1.2. The City of Katowice is also the host city for the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting 24 (COP24) from 3 to 14 December 2018.

1.3. This report provides an update on the EU World Cities program and:

1.3.1. Seeks support for signing of the Letter of Intent of Cooperation between the City of Hobart and City of Katowice;

1.3.2. Advises of the participation of up to two City of Hobart officers, at the invitation of the City of Katowice, in a panel discussion at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting 24 (COP24) to be held in Katowice, Poland;

1.3.3. Seeks consideration be given, following the formation of the Council post the upcoming local government elections, for the attendance of the Lord Mayor at the COP 24, in response to the invitation of the City of Katowice; and

1.3.4. On a separate but related matter, seeks a funding contribution of up to $15,000 for four-(4)-students from New Town and Huonville High Schools and Hobart College to attend the UNFCCC Conference of Youth (COY) meeting that precedes the COP 24 and also to attend the COP 24.

2. Report Summary

EU World Cities Australia Program

2.1. The European Union’s (EU) World-Cities project promotes the exchange of experience and best practice between the EU and non-EU countries. In 2017/18 it piloted an Australian project pairing the cities of: Adelaide and Manchester (UK); Melbourne and Hamburg (Germany); Canberra and Prague (Czech Republic); and Hobart and Katowice (Poland).

2.2. The project sponsored EU delegation visits to Australian cities in May 2017 and May 2018; and an Australian delegation visit to EU cities in October 2017. The delegations were comprised of representatives from the participating cities, private and research sectors. The visits focused on exchange of best practice and experience on regional and urban development and covered the themes of: smart cities, circular economies, mobility, green development and climate change action.

2.3. The final formal exchange was in the May 2018 when a meeting was hosted by the EU in Canberra and attended by delegation representatives from the participating cities. Attending from Hobart were: Dr Tom Baxter UTAS and Katrina Graham CoH; and from: Katowice: Dr Tom Pietryzkowski, Vice Rector University of Silesia; and Joanna Mekal, City Development and Daniel Wolny, Energy Management City of Katowice.

2.4. At the final meeting the City of Hobart and City of Katowice participants drafted a Letter-of-Intent to share experience and knowledge on key areas of activity around urban sustainability and to investigate opportunities to collaborate on a joint presentation at the COP 24. Please see Attachment A.

2.5. The City of Katowice has subsequently invited the City of Hobart to the COP 24 and to participate in a panel discussion with officers from the City of Katowice on climate change issues. Please see Attachment B.

2.6. It is intended that up to two officers attend the COP 24 and participate in the panel discussion. The City Planning budget includes an allocation for officer’s travel costs. The City of Katowice will provide accommodation for 2 officers.

2.7. It is proposed that post the local government elections and the formation of the Council, that the Lord Mayor and Aldermen consider their attendance.

Conference of Youth – Hobart Student Delegation

2.8. Preceding the COP24 meeting is the Conference of Youth 14 (COY), also to be held in Katowice from 29 November to 1 December 2018. COY is the official event of YOUNGO, the children and youth constituency to the UNFCCC. It brings young people together from across the world to meet on climate change and environmental topics, and aims to:

2.8.1. Build capacity and develop policy for input into the COP 24; and

2.8.2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience.

2.9. The NGO Education for Sustainability; an initiative of UTAS, Greening Australia and the Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE); coordinated the Climate Change Youth Forums in June and September 2018 to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through these forums a southern Tasmania Youth contingent of four students, accompanied by 2 teachers and one parent was formed to attend COY:

2.9.1. Toby Thorpe – Hobart College; youth coordinator for the UN Regional Centre of Expertise in line the Sustainable Development Goals

2.9.2. Harrison Tunks – New Town High School.

2.9.3. Josh Rayner - New Town High School.

2.9.4. Josh Hale – Huon Valley High School.

2.9.5. Caroline Remenyi - Teacher, New Town High School.

2.9.6. Paul Rayner - Parent (Josh Rayner).

2.9.7. Nel Smit – Education Strategist, Greening Australia.

2.10. The contingent will promote climate and sustainability actions of Tasmanian youth including: New Town High’s Young Person’s Plan for the Planet; Huon Valley High’s Zayed Energy Project and the Youth Climate Change Conference on the Sustainable Development Goals of Climate Action and Life below Water, by the Education for Sustainability Tasmania Centre of Expertise that was held in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie in June 2018.

2.11. The total budget for the student’s trip is $35,000. To date the contingent has raised $20,700 (Inspiring Place $20,000 and Huon Valley Council $700). A contribution of up-to $15,000 is sought from the City of Hobart. Please see Attachment C seeking funding support.

2.12. A requirement for the contingent’s participation in the COP 24, following the COY is the securing of ‘participation badges’ that are obtained through local exchanges. The City’s Climate Change Officer is liaising with colleagues in the Katowice City to arrange meetings with local schools to enable the badges to be achieved and to provide for cultural connections and collaborations.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The City of Hobart sign the Letter of Intent between the City of Hobart and City of Katowice, ‘to provide an ongoing platform for the exchange and collaboration on key areas of the European Union World Cities project being:

(i) Resilience and sustainability to current and future challenges;

(ii) International character of start-ups;

(iii) Culture; and

(iv) Academic cooperation and exchange.

2. It is noted, at the invitation of the City of Katowice, two City of Hobart officers, determined by the General Manager, will participate in a climate change panel at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting 24 (COP24) to be held in Katowice, Poland from 3 to 14 December 2018. Costs related to their attendance is as follows:

(i) The City of Katowice will cover the officer’s accommodation costs.

(ii) The City of Hobart will cover the officers airfares and incidentals are estimated to be $3,000 per person and are included in the City Planning Division and Environmental Planning Budget Functions

3. Consideration be given following the upcoming local government election that the Lord Mayor, or their nominee, attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting 24 (COP24) to be held in Katowice, Poland from 8 to 12 December 2018. The estimated costs of $5,500 be attributed to the Aldermanic conferences attendance allocation within the City Government function of the 2018/19 Annual Plan.

4. A funding contribution of up to $15,000 for four-(4)-students from New Town and Huonville High Schools, supported by teachers and a parent, to attend the UNFCCC Conference of Youth meeting that precedes the COP 24 and also to attend the COP 24 be provided. Any agreed funding allocation be identified through savings within the next available budget variation report.

4. Background

4.1. EU World Cities Program is managed by the EU’s Directorate General for the Regional and Urban policy (DG REGIO) and stems from a Preparatory Action of the European Parliament to promote the exchange of experience and best practice between the European Union and non-EU countries on the theme of territorial development with particular reference to urban development, urban-rural partnership and urban cross-border cooperation.

4.2. The City of Hobart was one of four selected, to participate in World Cities Australian pilot program. Through the program cities were paired and participated in three EU sponsored visits. The city pairings were: Adelaide and Manchester (UK); Melbourne and Hamburg (Germany); Canberra and Prague (Czech Republic); and Hobart and Katowice (Poland). The sponsored visits were made by delegations of EU cities to their paired cities, in May 2017 and 2018; and Australian cities visited their EU cities in October 2017.

4.3. The Hobart delegation consisted of:

4.3.1. Neil Noye, Director City Planning, CoH: Meeting 1 & 2;

4.3.2. Katrina Graham, Environment & Climate Change Officer, CoH: Meeting 1, 2 & 3;

4.3.3. Peter Carr, Peter Carr Advisory (private sector): Meeting 1 & 2;

4.3.4. Associate Professor Andrew Legg, Curator of Music and Performance, Community and Industry Partnership, UTAS: Meeting 1 & 2 and meeting 3 via skype; and

4.3.5. Dr Tom Baxter, Tasmanian School of Business and Economics UTAS: Meeting 3.

4.4. A range of issues and experiences were shared between Hobart and Katowice throughout the program covering:

4.4.1. Music and performing arts: Katowice is UNESCO Creative City of Music and the pairing enabled contacts and sharing of knowledge with UTAS in their development of the Hedberg Hobart for performing and creative arts. Learnings include building design and acoustics, music and performing art exchange and investigation of opportunities to ‘virtually’ host performances and/or tutor students between the two cities.

4.4.2. Governance and planning: the two cities shared knowledge and experience relating to governance arrangements with other levels of government (Katowice has recently amalgamated and is now a regional city) and other statutory authorities. Neil Noye and Dr Tom Baxter presented via Skype to a conference hosted by Katowice: City’s Under Tension.’

4.4.3. Climate change: the cities are both committed to reducing their carbon footprints and responding to a changing climate and increased climate hazards. There was particular interest in energy efficiency actions in the residential sector and renewables, given Katowice’s economy is transitioning from coal mining to digital technologies; and the City is responsible for if the responsible for apartment housing and reticulated heating. Katrina Graham presented at a climate adaptation conference hosted by the City of Katowice during the Hobart delegation’s visit.

4.4.4. Smart Cities: the exchange enabled knowledge sharing on Smart city initiatives, digital technologies and disruptions and collaboration and cooperation for start-ups as incubators for fostering new technologies and entrepreneurship.

4.5. In the final meeting a letter of intent was drafted through the EU program for the cities to collaborate across the themes of:

4.5.1. Resilience and sustainability to current and future challenges

4.5.2. International character of start-ups

4.5.3. Culture

4.5.4. Academic cooperation and exchange

4.6. Additionally the City of Hobart has been invited, by the City of Katowice, to attend the COP24 and participate in a panel discussion that is being held in Katowice, Poland in December 2018.

4.7. Conference of Youth (COY) and COP 24

4.8. A delegation of students from New Town High, Huon Valley High Schools and Hobart College will separately attend the COP 24 and the COY that is held in the preceding week.

4.9. The COY is the official event of YOUNGO, the children and youth constituency to the UNFCCC. It brings young people together from across the world to meet on climate change and environmental topics and aims to:

4.9.1. Build capacity and develop policy for input into the COP 24; and

4.9.2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience.

4.10. The NGO Education for Sustainability is an initiative of UTAS, Greening Australia and DPIPWE to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In June and September 2018 it coordinated the Climate Change Youth Forums through which a southern Tasmania Youth contingent of four students was formed with the intent to attend COY. It consists of:

4.10.1. Toby Thorpe – Hobart College; youth coordinator for the UN Regional Centre of Expertise in line the Sustainable Development Goals;

4.10.2. Harrison Tunks – New Town High School; Head Prefect and Young Peoples Plan for the Planet Team Leader 2017-18;

4.10.3. Josh Rayner - New Town High School;

4.10.4. Josh Hale – Huon Valley High School ;

4.10.5. Caroline Remenyi - Teacher, New Town High School;

4.10.6. Nel Smit - Education Strategist, Greening Australia; and

4.10.7. Paul Rayner - Parent (Josh Rayner).

4.11. The total trip budget is $35,000 and to date the contingent has raised $20,700, (Inspiring Place $20,000 and Huon Valley Council $700). A contribution of up to $15,000 is sought from the City of Hobart.

4.12. As part of the contingent’s participation in the COP 24, following the COY is the gaining of ‘participation badges’ that are obtained through local exchanges. The City’s Climate Change Officer is liaising with colleagues in the Katowice City to arrange meetings with local schools to enable the obtaining of the badges necessary to enable entry into the COP 24 proceedings.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that:

5.1.1. The City of Hobart formally sign the Letter of Intent of Cooperation between Hobart and Katowice.

5.1.2. It is proposed that up to two Council officers attend the COP24 in Katowice Poland at the invitation of the City of Katowice and participate in a Panel Discussion as part of the COP 24 meetings. A budget allocation is included in the City Planning and Environmental Planning budgets 2018/19.

5.1.3. Consideration be given, following the upcoming local government elections and the formation of the Council, for the Lord Mayor or their delegate attend the COP 24 funded through their budget allocation; and

5.1.4. A funding allocation of up to $15,000 be considered to support the attendance of the Hobart student delegation to the COY and COP24.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The City’s participation in the COP24 is consistent with

6.1.1. Strategic Objective 1.2: Strong national and international relationships.

6.1.2. 1.2.4 Support existing sister city relationships and respond to new opportunities.

6.1.3. Strategic Objective 3.1: Increased resilience to climate change.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. A budget allocation of $3000 per person is included in the City Planning and Environmental Planning budgets for attendance of two Council officer’s at the COP24 in Katowice Poland. Accommodation costs will be provided by the City of Katowice.

7.1.2. Should the Lord Mayor, or their nominee, attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties meeting 24 (COP24) to be held in Katowice, Poland from 8 to 12 December 2018 the estimated costs of $5,500 will be attributed to the Aldermanic conferences attendance allocation within the City Government function of the 2018/19 Annual Plan.

7.1.3. Funding of a contribution up to $15,000 for Hobart student’s delegation travel costs would need to be identified through savings as part of the next quarterly budget variation report.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. None.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. None.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. There are no identified legal, risk or legislative considerations.

9. Marketing and Media

9.1. The City of Hobart’s participation in the COP and support for the Hobart student delegation in the COY and COP 24 presents an opportunity to:

9.1.1. Promote the City of Hobart in international forums and settings; and

9.1.2. Share learnings and experiences within the Council and to the broader community.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. Opportunities for community and stakeholder engagement via:

10.1.1. updates/posts on activities at COP 24 through the City of Hobarts marketing and media team onto its webpage and social media platforms,

10.1.2. an article provide overview in the Capital City News; and

11. Delegation

11.1. This matter is delegated to the Council.

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