Agenda of City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Item No. 6.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 8

1/6/2022

REPORT TITLE: E-Scooter Trial Consultation Report

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Smart & Sustainable Hobart

Director Connected City

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Council on consultation undertaken with relevant disabled and senior associations regarding the use of e-scooters on public footpaths.

1.2. This consultation has allowed for community members and other stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback about the trial. This will enable ongoing improvements, particularly with regards to accessibility, safety and inclusion, to the current e-scooter trial and any future micromobility programs.

2. Report Summary

2.1. At its meeting of 31 January 2022, the Council resolved, inter alia that:

Part A

1. The Council in conjunction with e scooter providers undertake urgent consultations with relevant disabled and senior associations including the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner and Tasmania Police regarding the use of scooters on public footpaths with an urgent report back to Council with outcomes by the end of 28 February 2022, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

2.2. Consultation sessions undertaken included:

2.2.1. Engagement with senior Tasmanians on 24 February at Mathers House.

2.2.2. Engagement with representatives, community members and relevant agencies working within the field of disability and access on 30 March 2022 at Town Hall Ballroom. This session was attended by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.

2.2.3. Meetings of the Interagency Discussion Group, established with Tasmania Police, Department of State Growth, City of Hobart, and e-scooter operators Beam and Neuron, which meets monthly. Meetings were held on 8 February, 10 March, 4 April, and 3 May 2022.

2.3. Key themes raised during the consultation sessions included:

2.3.1. Engagement with the disability sector in the lead up to the trial and ongoing

2.3.2. Community and rider safety including helmet use, drink riding and the speed of scooters

2.3.3. Provision of insurance

2.3.4. Footpath management, parking and placement of scooters

2.3.5. Rider safety, including helmet use and drink riding

2.3.6. The speed of scooters and cars

2.3.7. Existing infrastructure and the need for long-term investment in mixed-use cycle paths to support e-scooter use.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The report titled E-Scooter Trial Consultation Report be received and noted.

2. Council officers from the City’s Smart and Sustainable Hobart unit liaise with City Mobility and Urban Futures with regards to the viability of creating more mixed-use micromobility lanes in inner city corridors.

3. Council officers work with e-scooter operators Beam and Neuron, as well as other relevant areas of the City, to create opportunities for training and safety awareness for senior Tasmanians.

4. Council officers attend the round table discussion forum convened by Department of State Growth, and that any outcomes arising from the round table, relevant to the Council’s e-scooter trial, be included in the E-scooter Trial Assessment Report, to be prepared upon completion of the trial.

4. Background

4.1. The City of Hobart initiated a hire-and-ride e-scooter trial in December 2021.

4.2. The trial was established in response to changes in State Government changes to the Tasmanian Road rules allowing Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) including e-scooters to be ridden on certain roads and shared bike paths and clarified the conditions under which e-scooters may be ridden on footpaths, which has been legal in Tasmania since 2009.

4.2.1. The City was consulted by State Government frequently, over a period of many months, as the Department of State Growth considered the changes to the Traffic Act and Road Rules. The changes became law in December 2021.

4.3. Ahead of the trials launch in December 2021, consultation was undertaken with a range of community members and stakeholders. Engagement relevant to the content of this report included:

4.3.1. The City’s Access Advisory Committee, which represents the interests of people with disabilities, was consulted and received presentations from Council officers on several occasions.

4.3.2. The Hobart Active Transport Committee, which includes bicycle, pedestrian, motorist, and other representatives, also shaped the trial. This Committee continues to offer important feedback to the City and its operators.

4.4. At its meeting of 31 January 2022, the Council resolved, inter alia that:

4.5. Engagement with senior Tasmanians was held from on 24 February 2022.

4.5.1. The forum was widely advertised including Positive Ageing email networks, social media posts, digital screen advertising in customer services and Mathers House as well as poster and flyer drops throughout CBD.

4.5.2. The forum was attended by 22 members of the public including residents, a Multicultural Advocate Chairperson, International Wall of Friendship Inc. and Secretary, Migrant Talent Connector Inc, as well as migrant TAFE students and their English language services lecturer.

4.5.3. The forum was opened by Manager Smart and Sustainable Hobart, from the City of Hobart, who provided background and an overview of the e-scooter trial. Representatives from each operator shared presentations.

4.5.4. Questions were then received from attendees and areas of interest or concern were discussed.

4.5.4.1. The majority of attendees were supportive of e-scooters and had attended to learn more about the trial and how they could be involved.

4.5.5. Key themes raised during the question and discussion time included:

4.5.5.1. Concerns about community safety and insurance

4.5.5.2. Footpath management, parking and placement of scooters.

4.5.5.3. Broader safety around helmet use and drink riding.

4.5.5.4. Costs to Council of running the trial

4.5.5.5. Speed of scooters and cars.

4.5.6. Additional areas of interest or concern included:

4.5.6.1. The potential risk to older Tasmanians and people with disabilities due to the silence of e-scooters.

4.5.6.2. The City and operators’ processes for addressing poor rider behaviour.

4.5.6.3. The perceived number of hospitalisations due to the trial.

4.5.7. A member of HAN (Healthy Aging Network) has since reached out to the City enquiring about more information on e-scooters for their members.

4.5.8. Two members of COTA (Council on the Ageing) have also contacted Council via email with suggestions and questions about the trial.

4.6. Engagement with representatives, community members and relevant agencies working within the field of disability and access on 30 March 2022 at Town Hall Ballroom.

4.6.1. The event was attended by The Lord Mayor of Hobart, Councillor Anna Reynolds, the Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Helen Burnett, the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt, Road Safety Manager Craig Hoey and Policy Officer Tegan Pearce from the Tasmanian Department of State Growth, three representatives from the Tasmanian Department of Communities, Daniel Vigilante from the Victorian Department of Transport.

4.6.1.1. More than 20 members of the public, including disability advocates with lived experience, representatives from local or state government, and those working in the disability sector were in attendance.

4.6.1.2. Two (2) representatives from each operator, Beam and Neuron and eight (8) Council officers also attended the event.

4.6.2. The forum was widely advertised including to advocacy services, disability providers and a range of relevant agencies.

4.6.3. The event was opened by Manager Smart and Sustainable Hobart from the City of Hobart, who provided background and an overview of the e-scooter trial. He was followed by presentations from representatives of the operators, Beam and Neuron.

4.6.4. Jen Nichols, who is an advocate in the disability sector with lived experience, shared how the e-scooter trial has impacted her. Jen expressed support for trial as well as the need for riders and operators to be aware of the challenges experienced by the visually-impaired community members with visual impairments caused by e-scooters on footpaths.

4.6.5. Questions were then received from attendees and areas of interest or concern were discussed.

4.6.6. Key themes raised during the question and discussion time included:

4.6.6.1. Engagement with the disability sector in the lead up to the trial and ongoing

4.6.6.2. Placement of scooters and the risks they present

4.6.6.3. Broader safety around helmet use and the speed of scooters

4.6.6.4. The need for long-term investment in mixed-use cycle paths to support e-scooter use.

4.6.7. Additionally, a request for a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders was put forward by disability advocates.

4.6.7.1. Council officers have liaised with officers from the Department of State Growth and planning for this roundtable is underway within the Department.

4.6.8. A Zoom and video recording of the event will be available to be shared in an accessible format, together with the two presentations from the operators and the presentation from Jen Nichols.

4.7. The Interagency Discussion Group, established with the Tasmania Police, Department of State Growth, City of Hobart and the e-scooter operators Beam and Neuron meets monthly.

4.7.1. Meetings have been held on 8 February, 10 March, 4 April and 3 May 2022.

4.7.2. Discussions at meetings have noted that trial operations have improved with, rider non-compliant behaviour and safety incidents reduced. This is attributed to ongoing rider education as well as operator enforcement, noting that riders who persistently ignore e-scooter rules have been banned from platforms.

4.7.3. At its meeting of 10 March 2022, social media reports of a spike in hospital attendances as a result of e-scooter accidents were discussed. Police, Department of State Growth, City of Hobart and operators reported no evidence to these claims.

4.7.4. Key outcomes arising from meetings in 2022 include:

4.7.4.1. Scoot Smart Hobart campaign

The development of a strategic joint community-education and safety campaign would be developed, with promotion of the campaign supported by all parties. Existing safety messaging and rider education content would be utilised until the campaign was launched.

City of Hobart, Beam and Neuron (with support from JackJumpers and media company The20) have created Hobart-centric media content to establish positive role models that influence rider behaviour, with the ideal overarching outcome that it’s seen as “cool” to do the right thing. The campaign also desires to influence perceptions held by non-riders by creating a visible campaign directly addressing safety concerns.

This campaign was launched on 13 May, 2022.

4.7.4.2. Ride with Respect campaign

Department of State Growth extended the Ride with Respect campaign until the Scoot Smart Hobart campaign was launched. Council officers contacted school principals to promote the Ride with Respect campaign.

4.7.4.3. #sharethespace

The City created and distributed videography promoting e-scooter rider awareness of people with disabilities and appropriate parking.

4.7.4.4. PW1 Forecourt Safety Events

The City and Department of State Growth have partnered with PW1 offering PW1 forecourt (on Saturday mornings to coincide with Salamanca Markets), to e-scooter operators through April and May 2022 for public safety training and events.

4.7.4.5. Easter Holidays campaign

The City created and distributed an Easter Holidays e-scooter campaign targeting parents who may wish to unlock e-scooters for minors and children under 16 riding illegally

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. Consultation revealed key themes about the e-scooter trial across the sessions conducted.

5.2. Key actions arising from these meetings, relevant to City of Hobart, include:

5.2.1. The Department of State Growth (DSG) will convene a ‘round table’ discussion forum to discuss e-scooters and other mobility options for the disabled community, including: methods to increase safety and reduce footpath inconvenience and clutter for members of the community with vision impairment; and opportunities for disability advocate groups to discuss transport policy decisions with government bodies. Council officers plan to attend and participate in the round table.

5.2.2. Further investigation into viability of creating more mixed use micromobility lanes in inner city corridors. The Smart and Sustainable Hobart unit, responsible for leading the trial internally, will liaise with other relevant Council units to understand the work being undertaken in this area.

5.2.3. Exploration of requested increased opportunities for the elderly to learn to ride e-scooters. It has been identified that operators may schedule targeted sessions for senior Tasmanians, working with the City’s Positive Ageing platforms and other relevant stakeholders to promote and deliver the sessions.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. The Community Vision project in 2018-2019 obliged the Council to act on the community’s desire to “prioritise low emission, energy efficient, renewable transport and technology initiatives, including trialling emerging solutions.”

6.2. The e-scooter trial is consistent with the City of Hobart Capital Strategic Plan 2019-29, specifically:

5.1.1 Improve connectivity throughout Hobart’s inner city and suburbs.

5.1.6 Work with stakeholders to prioritise low emission, energy efficient, renewable transport and technology initiatives, including trialling emerging solutions.

5.2.2 Embrace opportunities to use innovative technologies to support and manage transport networks and improve travel experiences.

5.3.1 Respond to the current trends and future opportunities of the smart cities concept and associated technologies.

7.3.3 Our infrastructure and services are planned, managed and maintained so they provide long-term benefits to Hobart communities.

6.3. The e-scooter trial is also consistent with actions CTR10: Last Mile Micromobility And Data Trials and MOBI-08: New Micromobility Options from the Connected Hobart Action Plan 2019 and the Sustainable Hobart Action Plan 2020 respectively.

6.4. The recommendations of this report are consistent with the City of Hobart Capital Strategic Plan 2019-29, specifically:

2.2.1 Support people from all backgrounds and life experiences to participate in Hobart life.

2.2.3 Provide and support activities and programs that celebrate diversity to reduce social isolation and build social cohesion.

2.2.4 Review and implement cross-cultural, diversity, equal access and other awareness and learning opportunities for staff

2.3.7 Support accessible learning opportunities for people at all ages and stages of life.

6.5. The recommendations of this report also relate to the City’s Positive Ageing Commitment 2021-23 and the City’s Equal Access Commitment 2021-23.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The recommendations of this report will require Council officer time to complete.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. There are no anticipated financial implications beyond Council officer time.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. There are no asset related implications arising from the recommendations of this report.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. An external consultant’s risk assessment was obtained by Council for the trial in December 2021. No update has been made to this risk assessment. Should any major change to the trial occur as a result of recommendations in this report, it is proposed that the risk assessment would be updated.

8.2. Riders of e-scooters in the trial who conform to operator’s terms and conditions are covered by personal accident insurance and 3^rd Party liability coverage.

9. Environmental Considerations

9.1. There are no environmental considerations arising from the recommendations of this report.

10. Social and Customer Considerations

10.1. The proposed round table, to be convened by Department of State Growth, will create a meaningful platform for community members and stakeholders in the disability sector to discuss e-scooters and other mobility options for the disabled community. It is anticipated that this may shape any future micromobility trials or programs lead by the City of Hobart, increasing inclusion and safety.

11. Marketing and Media

11.1. Accessible meeting notes, operator presentations and a video of the E-Scooter Access Forum will be uploaded to the City of Hobart website in the coming weeks, making this information available for all.

11.1.1. A Frequently Asked Questions list will also be maintained on the City’s website.

11.2. There may be opportunities to promote any educational sessions on e-scooter use and safety through the City’s social media accounts, and well as Positive Ageing networks, including the quarterly What’s On newsletter.

12. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

12.1. This report has been informed by the consultation undertaken on:

12.1.1. 23 February 2022 with the Network for Harmony (multicultural) networks and relevant stakeholders

12.1.2. 24 February 2022 with senior Tasmanians and relevant stakeholders

12.1.3. 30 March 2022 with a range of community members and relevant stakeholders in the disability sector, including the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.

12.1.4. 8 February, 10 March, 4 April and 3 May 2022 at meetings of the Interagency Discussion Group, which includes the Tasmania Police, Department of State Growth, City of Hobart and the e-scooter operators Beam and Neuron.

12.1.5. Consultation with an external Active Transport and New Mobility Planner (on going).

12.2. Consultation has also occurred with Council officers within the Smart and Sustainable Hobart unit, Community Development Officer – Access & Facilities, Community Program Co-ordinator, Manager Strategic Communications and Marketing, and Director Connected City.

12.3. The Department of State Growth led round table will engage with a range of community members and relevant stakeholders. Outcomes are proposed to be communicated by an attending Council officer to the City’s Access Advisory Committee, the Hobart Active Transport Committee and the Interagency Discussion Group. Outcomes of the round table may also be added to the City’s website if relevant.

13. Delegation

13.1. 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.

Robert Stevenson

Manager Smart & Sustainable Hobart

Jacqui Allen

Director Connected City

Date: 23 May 2022

File Reference: F22/46178

Item No. 6.2

Agenda (Open Portion)

City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 19

1/6/2022

Memorandum: City Infrastructure Committee

City of Hobart Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Annual Report 2020-21

Background

In 2010 the City of Hobart committed to measure and report on its greenhouse gas emissions over the decade to 2020.

That program concluded with the 2019-20 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use Annual Report when the last of the ten planned reports was created.

At its meeting held on 24 February 2021, the City Infrastructure Committee resolved the following:

“That: 1. The methodology of the reporting as per the reports for 2010-2020 targets remains the same, energy efficiency reports and annual captured in real time as well and updates provided to the City Infrastructure Committee on an annual basis.

2. Opportunities for positive media about the City’s achievements in regard to greenhouse gas emissions and energy use be sought.”

The Sustainable Hobart Action Plan outlines that greenhouse gas reporting will be automated and available in real time, rather than simply created as an annual snapshot. Significant work towards achieving this has been performed, however it is still the case that the City is reliant on electricity providers and other external agencies to provide the base data for reporting. While these agencies have data available, and it is global practice that customers would have access to such data, in Tasmania it is still is a difficult process to extract the data in a timely manner.

The reporting systems and methodologies developed for the previous reports remains in place, and summarised data will continue to be published annually until such time as a real-time, online tool is completed for more efficient future reporting. Building the real-time data tracking system described above will allow the City to better understand exactly when increases occur and give the City more power to adapt usage in real time when anomalous energy utilisation is measured.

At the conclusion of the first decade of reporting, the City achieved its corporate energy and greenhouse gas emissions targets, by reducing:

· Energy use by 40.4 per cent, exceeding its 35% target

· Greenhouse gas emissions by 19.9%, exceeding its 17% target.

Overall the energy and greenhouse program has resulted in annual cost savings of over $1 million across the City’s energy bills.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use Annual Report 2020-21

The attached report describes the future targets set by the Sustainable Hobart Action Plan, and shows the City remains on track to meet those.

For the first year since the program started in 2010, a slight uptick was recorded in the City’s electricity use. Despite this, due to reduced carbon intensity of electricity in Tasmania, there was no subsequent increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The uptick was attributed to COVID-19 activities, however the data does not explicitly show that this was the cause.

Data sources for this report are diverse and extremely varied, including detailed vehicle fleet information, solar panel output, electricity and gas use, measurements and estimates of waste and associated methane emissions, building energy assessments and multiple other sources.

REcommendation

That the report Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use Annual Report 2020-21 be received and noted.

Robert Stevenson

Manager Smart & Sustainable Hobart

Jacqui Allen

Director Connected City

Date: 20 May 2022

File Reference: F21/60246; 16/116

Attachment a: City of Hobart Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use Annual Report 2020-21 ⇩

Item No. 8.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

City Infrastructure Committee Meeting

Page 59

1/6/2022

memorandum: Lord Mayor
Deputy lord Mayor
Elected members

Infrastructure Projects

Meeting: City Infrastructure Committee

Meeting date: 2 March 2022

Raised by: Deputy Lord Mayor Burnet

Question:

Can the Director provide an update on the progress of infrastructure projects, how they’re budgeted, and their timelines for delivery?

Response:

The City’s capital works program incorporates infrastructure improvement as well as a broad range of other projects.

Infrastructure projects identified for inclusion on the City’s capital works program undergo the following process:

· Initial identification of the project which may be asset renewal (replacement of existing infrastructure which has reached the end of its life), asset upgrade (where an asset is to be replaced and upgraded) or a new asset.

· The process starts with the preparation of a concept design plan for the project with a high level estimate is prepared. The project is assessed and prioritised, then referred to ELT and ultimately to Council, depending on the circumstances this might be as a component of the annual budget consideration, or as an individual report.

· Having been approved in principal, the detailed design for the project is progressed, cost estimates are firmed up and the necessary approvals (statutory and other) are secured.

· With the project approved, designed and funded construction takes place. This can be via the involvement of the City’s internal workforce or via tender in the open market.

Usually projects are developed over a period of up to three years (one year for concept development, one year for detailed design and approval, one year for construction). Such timeframes are however very dependant of a range of factors, which include:

· Extent of stakeholder engagement;

· Design complexity;

· Statutory approvals processes;

· Contractor availability;

· Landlord issues (if 3^rd party land ownership is involved);

· Weather conditions;

· Traffic and other associated infrastructure impacts.

This process has been made more difficult in recent years due to the significant impact of COVID.

Such difficulties include:

· Restriction in the City’s budget;

· Stimulus packages increasing pressure on the market;

· Staff limitations;

· Materials supply chain interruptions.

Glenn Doyle

Acting Director City Enablers

Date: 23 May 2022

File Reference: F22/31802; 13-1-10

People	We care about people – our community, our customers and colleagues.
Teamwork	We collaborate both within the organisation and with external stakeholders drawing on skills and expertise for the benefit of our community.
Focus and Direction	We have clear goals and plans to achieve sustainable social, environmental and economic outcomes for the Hobart community.
Creativity and Innovation	We embrace new approaches and continuously improve to achieve better outcomes for our community.
Accountability	We are transparent, work to high ethical and professional standards and are accountable for delivering outcomes for our community.