Supplementary Agenda of Council Meeting

Item No. 13

Report Under Separate Cover (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 11

6/7/2020

REPORT TITLE: The North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct Place Vision and Access and Parking Plan Project

REPORT PROVIDED BY: General Manager

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report responds to a decision of the Council dated 23 July 2018, in which the Council resolved, inter alia that:

1.1.1. A report be prepared consolidating information provided in previous reports and any related documents, in relation to the Condell Place site.

1.1.2. A parking plan be prepared for North Hobart.

1.1.3. The Council consider the future strategic direction and vision for the North Hobart area.

1.2. This report also responds to a Notice of Motion by Alderman Zucco, as resolved by the Council meeting of 23 September 2019, that:

1.2.1. An urgent report be prepared addressing any issues for the Council immediately pursuing expressions of interest for the redevelopment of the Condell carpark in North Hobart, as per the most recent report to Council (as attached to the agenda for the Finance and Governance Committee meeting held on 17 July 2018).

1.2.2. A further report to also address the broader parking, mobility and smart cities issues and solutions for North Hobart (as per the Council decision of 23 July 2018).

1.2.3. The report to consider any other existing report relevant to the development of car parking within the North Hobart precinct.

1.2.4. The Council's preferred position be subject to community engagement at the appropriate time.

2. Report Summary

2.1. Responding to these resolutions, and taking account of feedback received from both traders and the North Hobart community, in late 2019, the City of Hobart commissioned an integrated Place Vision and an Access and Parking Plan for the Elizabeth Street Retail and Entertainment Strip.

2.2. Placemaking specialists Village Well and sustainable transport planners MRCagney were engaged, and commenced this project in January 2020.

2.3. Both providers are industry leaders in their respective fields and have specific expertise in main street renewal and integrated traffic planning.

2.4. Both also have experience in working in the Tasmanian and Hobart context.

2.5. In summary, the project has delivered five key outputs, which are attached to this report:

2.5.1. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Engagement Report.

2.5.2. Place Vision Framework (Part A) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

2.5.3. Access and Parking Plan (Part B) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

2.5.4. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Condell Place Recommendations.

2.5.5. Condell Place Expression of Interest (EOI) - Scoping and Information Paper.

2.6. It is now proposed that these reports be released for a period of community engagement, commencing on Monday 20 July for one month, with the results of this next stage engagement to be made the subject of a further officer report to the Council in September 2020, at which time officer recommendations would be presented.

2.7. This period of community engagement is seen to be an important opportunity to seek wide business sector, community and stakeholder comment on the Village Well and MRCagney reports, and their associated recommendations, to assist the City of Hobart to make the most informed future decisions on these matters.

2.8. In light of this, it is proposed that the Council not make any decisions relating to the consultants’ report recommendations until after the community has been thoroughly consulted and a further officer report is prepared.

3. Recommendation

That the following reports prepared as part of the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct Place Vision and Access and Parking Plan Project by Village Well and MRCagney, be made publicly available for a period of community engagement, commencing on Monday 20 July for one month, with the results of this next stage engagement to be made the subject of a further officer report to the Council in September 2020.

(i) North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Engagement Report.

(ii) Place Vision Framework (Part A) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

(iii) Access and Parking Plan (Part B) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

(iv) North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Condell Place Recommendations.

(v) Condell Place Expression of Interest (EOI) - Scoping and Information Paper.

4. Background

4.1. This report responds to a decision of the Council dated 23 July 2018, in which the Council resolved, inter alia that:

4.1.1. A report be prepared consolidating information provided in previous reports and any related documents, in relation to the Condell Place site.

4.1.2. A parking plan be prepared for North Hobart.

4.1.3. The Council consider the future strategic direction and vision for the North Hobart area.

4.2. This report also responds to a Notice of Motion by Alderman Zucco, as resolved by the Council meeting of 23 September 2019, that:

4.2.1. An urgent report be prepared addressing any issues for the Council immediately pursuing expressions of interest for the redevelopment of the Condell carpark in North Hobart, as per the most recent report to Council (as attached to the agenda for the Finance and Governance Committee meeting held on 17 July 2018).

4.2.2. A further report to also address the broader parking, mobility and smart cities issues and solutions for North Hobart (as per the Council decision of 23 July 2018).

4.2.3. The report to consider any other existing report relevant to the development of car parking within the North Hobart precinct.

4.2.4. The Council's preferred position be subject to community engagement at the appropriate time.

4.3. Placemaking specialists Village Well and sustainable transport planners MRCagney were engaged and commenced this project in January 2020.

4.3.1. Both firms are industry leaders in their respective fields and have specific expertise in main street renewal and integrated traffic planning.

4.3.2. Both also have experience in working in the Tasmanian and Hobart context.

4.3.3. The procurement process to engage the consultants was conducted using the Council’s Panel of Providers for Placemaking Consultancy Services. 11 submissions were received.

4.4. The core study area is that part of Elizabeth Street bounded by Federal Street to the north and Burnett Street to the south and specifically considering Condell Place. The broader study area includes the area within a 6 to 7 minute walking distance from that section of Elizabeth Street.

4.5. The project contemplates a planning horizon of 2030.

4.6. In summary, the consultants have delivered five key outputs, as attached to this report:

4.6.1. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Engagement Report.

4.6.2. Place Vision Framework (Part A) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

4.6.3. Access and Parking Plan (Part B) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

4.6.4. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Condell Place Recommendations.

4.6.5. Condell Place Expression of Interest (EOI) - Scoping and Information Paper.

4.7. A summary of the community engagement process and findings, and various report outcomes are shown as Attachment A.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that the following reports prepared as part of North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct Place Vision and Access and Parking Plan Project by Village Well and MRCagney, be made publicly available for a period of community engagement:

5.1.1. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Engagement Report.

5.1.2. Place Vision Framework (Part A) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

5.1.3. Access and Parking Plan (Part B) for the North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct.

5.1.4. North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct - Condell Place Recommendations.

5.1.5. Condell Place Expression of Interest (EOI) - Scoping and Information Paper.

5.2. This would commence on Monday 20 July for one month, with the results of this next stage engagement to be made the subject of a further officer report to the Council in September 2020.

5.3. In light of this, it is proposed that the Council not make any decisions relating to the consultants’ report recommendations until after the community has been thoroughly consulted, and the further officer report is prepared.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. This project has strongly aligned with a number of the Outcomes and Strategies detailed in the City of Hobart 2019 - 2029 Strategic Plan, including:

6.1.1. Outcome: 4.1 Hobart’s economy reflects its unique environment, culture and identity.

6.1.1.1. Strategies: 4.1.6. Support local businesses and enterprises working to find innovative solutions to significant challenges.

6.1.2. Outcome: 5.1. An accessible and connected city environment helps maintain Hobart’s pace of life.

6.1.2.1. Strategies: 5.1.2 Consider social, environmental and economic elements in transport and technology decision-making.

6.1.3. Outcome: 5.2. Hobart has effective and environmentally sustainable transport systems.

6.1.4. Outcome: 7.4. Community involvement and an understanding of future needs help guide changes to Hobart’s built environment.

6.1.4.1. Strategies: 7.4.3. Ensure transport and land use planning are integrated to deliver the best economic, social and environmental outcomes into the future.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The project has been funded from the ‘Consultants’ line item in ICAP Consultancies budget of the Councils 2019/2020 Annual Plan. There may be some carry forward funds in this budget line to support any next stage work, subject to wider Council financial considerations.

7.1.2. The total cost of consultants for the project to date has been in the order of $111,000, with some additional operational costs for the community and business meetings/workshops.

7.1.3. The cost of a potential Expression of Interest process for Condell Place has not yet been determined.

7.1.4. The cost of the proposed next stage engagement would be undertaken by City of Hobart staff using City venues where ever possible, with limited cost implications.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. Any ongoing impacts on future years’ financial results, including any parking operations income, would be considered in the proposed September officer report

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. The cost implications associated with any possible new and/or replacement assets investment would be considered and reported back to Council in September.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. Other than reputational and normal project management risk considerations, no specific legal, risk and legislative issues are seen to apply to the proposed next engagement stage of the project.

8.2. The attached Condell Place EOI Scoping and Information paper seeks to provide Council with relevant background information, options to progress an EOI to the next phase, as well as develop a set of essential criteria and an evaluation process to measure submissions.

8.3. However, should the Council resolve to proceed with an EOI for the Condell Place site, the Council will need to:

8.3.1. Seek an independent commercial valuation of the Condell Place Car Park property, pursuant to s177 of the Local Government Act 1993.

8.3.2. Appoint a Probity Advisor to overview the EOI and selection process. The probity advisor’s role would be to ensure that impartiality and fairness are observed throughout the process.

8.3.3. Any disposal method contemplated by the EOI would need to be conducted in accordance with the Council’s Probity Guidelines for the Consideration of Commercial Property Transactions Policy.

8.3.4. Review of any legal and/or contractual considerations.

8.3.5. Review of all commercial and 'release to market' processes and considerations by a suitably qualified property advisor.

8.3.6. Fully develop a suitable specification/scope (EOI or Market Sounding document).

8.3.7. Develop an engagement and communications plan to support the Council’s preferred option.

9. Environmental Considerations

9.1. As detailed in Attachment A, consultants Village Well and MRCagney undertook extensive stakeholder engagement in February 2020, with the support of City of Hobart officers.

9.2. The attached Village Well North Hobart Retail and Entertainment Precinct Engagement Report provides more detail in regard to the outcomes of this work.

Next Stage Engagement:

9.3. Further to the community engagement process undertaken to date, the next stage engagement process would be undertaken by City of Hobart officers in line with the City’s Community Engagement Framework and methods detailed in Attachment B.

9.4. Releasing the final documents for a period of community engagement will provide an opportunity to:

9.4.1. Share the diversity of opinions expressed by stakeholders during the preparation of the documents.

9.4.2. To ‘check in’ with the stakeholders who contributed to the engagement process.

9.4.3. Seek wide business sector, community and stakeholder comment on the Place Vision Framework, the Parking and Access Plan and the Condell Place Recommendations report, to assist the City of Hobart to make the most informed decisions on these matters.

9.4.4. Gauge the level of business sector and community support to progress an Expression of Interest process for Condell Place, and seek input into the potential scope and terms of reference for an EOI.

9.4.5. To further test the findings and proposals in a post COVID-19 context.

9.5. In preparing this report the author has consulted with key officers from the Community Life, City Planning and City Innovation Divisions.

9.6. The documents will also be shared with all relevant Business Units within the City, to review and test against the City’s strategic priorities.

10. Delegation

10.1. 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.