Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 2

31/3/2025

Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 1

31/03/2025

The Chairperson reports that she has perused the minutes of the meeting of the Open Portion of the Council meeting held on Monday, 24 February 2025, finds them to be a true record and recommends that they be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Sherlock

Bloomfield

That the recommendation be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The minutes were signed.

Dr Melanie Sharman put the following questions and was provided with the corresponding response by the Chief Executive Officer.

QUESTION 1:

What processes does the Council have in place to ensure that decisions about the health and wellbeing of the community are made based on the best available evidence e.g. the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design?

QUESTION 2:

Will the evidence used by Council to inform the decision about the use of the South Hobart Recreation Ground be made publicly available?

RESPONSE:

The Chief Executive Officer advised that no decisions have been made at this stage concerning any changes to the current usage arrangements at the South Hobart Recreation Ground.  At the current time Officers are undertaking a review of the Dog Management Policy, which needs to consider the recreation ground as it is a current off-lead dog exercise area while not in use for organised sport.  The Council is engaging with the community in respect to the review of the Policy and have a broad range of professionals involved internally, to ensure that the best available evidence is considered.

In relation to part 2 of the question, yes, the draft Dog Management Policy will be publicly considered at a Council Workshop Committee and the Council meeting.  This will include a summary of any information (or evidence) considered appropriate.

Dr Jennifer Conner put the following questions and was provided with the corresponding response by the Chief Executive Officer.

QUESTION 1:

Has there been any documented reports of a health condition resulting from dog faeces or urine at South Hobart Ground or other grounds in the Hobart City Council area?

QUESTION 2:

Has the council engaged an independent and quote "thorough risk assessment of the health implications of allowing active sport on an area used for dog exercising" (as was recommended in the South Hobart Master Plan draft 2023)?

QUESTION 3:

If the Council agrees that the overall risk rating, according to the risk matrix settings is LOW, can this issue please be considered to be successfully addressed and that shared use is safe to continue?

RESPONSE:

The City has not received any formal incident reports or is aware of any documented reports of health conditions resulting from dog faeces or urine at the South Hobart Oval or any other Council ground.

At this point in time the City has not engaged an independent health assessment on the ground.  Whilst the South Hobart Oval and Park Master Plan is yet to be formally endorsed by the Council, the document does suggest the consideration of, along with other options should shared use continue, a thorough risk assessment of the health implications of allowing active sport on an area used for dog exercising.

A risk assessment will be undertaken should the independent health assessment proceed to determine the level of risk.

Skye Targett put the following questions which were taken on notice by Chief Executive Officer. 

QUESTION 1:

Does the Council intend to ensure fair and reasonable access to the grounds for the local community, particularly during winter months when days are short?

For instance - allocating the two hours after school (3-5 pm) as a standard non-booking period to allow the community to access the grounds during peak times. South Hobart Primary School soccer training, frisbee, free play, dog exercise.

QUESTION 2:

To improve community cohesiveness, could Council please publicise bookings for the ground, and other grounds in Hobart City Council, on their website so they are easily available to all members of the community? A system similar to the aquatic centre would be much appreciated and facilitate respectful sharing.

QUESTION 3:

Can we please have the much-needed public soccer goals as identified in the South Hobart Draft Master Plan, to allow kids who can't afford to or don't want to attend a soccer school to practice? Children have woven flagging tape in the boundary nets for makeshift goals, but these aren't very satisfactory, accelerate wear to the nets and are torn down by the soccer club on game days.

Maria Riedl put the following question which was taken on notice by the Chief Executive Officer.

QUESTION 1:

I was advised in an email that “like motions have been consolidated into a single motion” for the public meeting on Collins Street last week and that I could “move and speaker to my motion should I wish to do so”. Motion 3 was a messy jumble of motions with my motion asking for an elector poll conveniently hidden at the end point (e) and I am upset the Council refused to list it as a separate motion and a separate independent vote.

Why can’t I ask that my motion for an electoral poll be implemented asap, as I feel the meeting was flawed because of the lack of clarity/independence, and the bundling up did not allow me to move my motion and speak to it?

QUESTION 2:

I ask that Council publicly apologise to the elderly lady who attended the public meeting in the mobility scooter and ask that the bike lane bullies do the same publicly and immediately. If you don’t, why not, as you had control of the meeting?

QUESTION 3:

The final motion (4) asked for a vote supporting the governance, process, ethics and accountability on part of the Hobart City council. The meeting voted against this motion. Surely any fair-minded person with respect for fair process on the part of government, when disputes arise, instead of opposing democracy, free speech and fair play, would vote yes? It was clearly a display of the worst elements of human nature showing an abysmal lack of respect, don’t you agree?

Andrew Edwards put the following question and was provided with the corresponding response by the Chief Executive Officer.

QUESTION:

Can the public trust the Council, which includes all elected members of the Council to adhere to and recognise their own stated criteria of conducting credible research, evaluations, credible data analysis and respecting professional consultants advice, including advice from the Councils own expert staff, the recommendations made when the Council make their planning and policy decisions?

RESPONSE:

The Council sets its own policy and procedures and it needs to be held to accountable to those so in answer to your question, yes we do need to comply with any policy that we set as a Council including adhering to the criteria you have identified.

10.      Transforming Collins Street - Options to retain loading zone and parking opportunities between Victoria and Murray Street

Posselt

Sherlock

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Amendment

Dutta

Lohberger

That Council officers prepare a report outlining the legal obligations of the State Government and the Council's potential legal recourse for seeking reinstatement of the $170,000 grant funding.

Posselt

Harvey

That Councillor Dutta be granted an additional one minute to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Amendment

Kitsos

Harvey

That clause 2 of the officer recommendation be replaced with the following:

Should the Council wish to retain loading zones and onstreet carparking consistent with its resolution of the 11^th November 2024, then the concept design as outlined in section 3.26 of this report (Northbound Cycleway only’, with Southbound ‘Sharrows’ and the retention of existing kerbside use (not clearway) on the Southbound side) be adopted and progressed as a tactical trial in this section of Collins Street as part of the wider Transforming Collins Street Trial.

Procedural Motion

Zucco

That the matter be deferred for further consideration at a Council Workshop.

PROCEDURAL MOTION LOST

VOTING RECORD

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Procedural Motion

Posselt

Elliot

That the motion be now put.

PROCEDURAL MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Item 10 was recommitted after item 17 followed immediately taking the vote on the substantive motion (after which item 18 was then taken):

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council receive and note the report titled ‘Transforming Collins Street - Options to retain loading zone and parking opportunities between Victoria and Murray Street’.

2.      Should the Council wish to retain loading zones and onstreet carparking consistent with its resolution of the 11^th November 2024, then the concept design as outlined in section 3.26, of the report marked as item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, (Northbound Cycleway only’, with Southbound ‘Sharrows’ and the retention of existing kerbside use (not clearway) on the Southbound side) be adopted and progressed as a tactical trial in this section of Collins Street as part of the wider Transforming Collins Street Trial.

3.      The Council endorse an application to the Transport Commission for a speed limit of 30km/h on Collins Street between Harrington Street and Argyle Street.

4.      The Council endorse further work and engagement to support a further Council report to allow Council to consider the concept of the Inner City Courtesy Zone, as foreshadowed in the Inner City Action Plan, specifically in respect of harmonising a 30km/h speed limit around the central city (CBD) core to enhance the safety and amenity for all road users.

5.      That Council officers prepare a report outlining the legal obligations of the State Government and the Council's potential legal recourse for seeking reinstatement of the $170,000 grant funding.

11.      Dark Mofo 2025 Sponsorship and In Kind Support

Posselt

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.      The Council endorse a one-year sponsorship agreement with DarkLab for Dark Mofo 2025, with sponsorship obligations of:

(i)      $150,000 cash (excluding GST), for the exclusive naming rights sponsorship of the 2025 Dark Mofo Winter Feast  Community Day to be held in June 2025, and any other ancillary benefits as negotiated for inclusion in the Sponsorship Agreement, to be paid in accordance with the City of Hobart Inbound Requests for Sponsorship Policy.

(ii)     In-kind support through full and partial fee waivers for equipment for the Winter Feast, to the total value of $313,110 (excluding GST), noting that DarkLab will need to meet all costs of installation and transportation of this equipment.

2.      The Council delegate the authority to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and enter into the sponsorship agreement on the Council’s behalf, and finalise any licence requirements, including the details of the sponsorship benefits and incidental additional requests for in-kind support sought by DarkLab for Dark Mofo 2025.

3.      The total value of the sponsorship be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits Provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

4.      In alignment with recent Council resolutions for inbound sponsorship requests, the Council advise DarkLab that it intends to conduct a review of the funding that it provides for the Dark Mofo 2025 festival, together with the festival’s community benefits and value, to guide consideration for future funding requests.

12.      Safer Hobart Alliance

Sherlock

Kitsos

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 12 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

The Lord Mayor called for nominations for the role of Chairperson of the Safer Hobart Alliance.

Alderman Bloomfield was nominated.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.      The Council approves the establishment of a Safer Hobart Alliance as a Council advisory committee.

2.      The Council endorses the Safer Hobart Alliance’s Terms of Reference marked as Attachment A.

3.      Council appoints Alderman Bloomfield to be the Chairperson of the Safer Hobart Alliance.

13.      Salamanca Place Amplified Music Trial

Sherlock

Kitsos

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 13 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.      The Council support the ongoing arrangements for amplified live music in Salamanca Place.

2.      Occupation licences for Council land be amended for the 2025/26 financial year and ongoing, to allow for amplified live music on Salamanca Place within the terms of the one-year trial conducted during 2024/25, including the following days of operation:

(i)      Monday to Friday:  4pm to 8pm.

(ii)     Saturday:  6pm to 8pm (taking account of the operation of Salamanca Market).

(iii)    Sunday:  Midday to 8pm.

3.      The Council authorises the Chief Executive Officer to carry out a similar trial in other areas where it is anticipated that amplified live music on Council land adjacent to private venues is likely to succeed.

14.      Development Fees for Art and Murals facing public space

Sherlock

Harvey

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 14 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Amendment

Kitsos

Harvey

That an additional clause be included that reads:

2.    That council pursue a communication and engagement strategy to promote public art and murals on public facing private property outside of the standard social media approach.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.    The Council continue to waive its Development Application fee for public art and murals on private property that face into public space.

2.    The Council pursue a communication and engagement strategy to promote public art and murals on public facing private property outside of the standard social media approach.

15.      Development Assessment Panel - Revised Draft Bill

Posselt

Sherlock

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the Council endorse the submission to the Development Assessment Panel Framework Discussion Paper marked as Attachment A to this report to be resent to the current consultation.

16.      Special Committee - Terms of Reference

Bloomfield

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 16 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the Terms of Reference for the Place and Wellbeing Special Committee,  and the Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Special Committee (marked as Attachments B and C to item 16 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025), be adopted.

17.      Local Government Electoral Bill

Sherlock

Kitsos

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 17 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Amendment

Lohberger

Elliot

That in relation to proposed reform 33, the Council supports an increase in the proportion of electors required to compel a Council to hold an elector poll be lifted to 10 percent of electors rather than the proposed 20 percent.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Amendment

Posselt

Lohberger

That the Council write to relevant parties expressing a desire for the relevant legislation to be amended to enable Councils to adopt optional voting for residents aged 16-17 years.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Amendment

Zucco

Bloomfield

That the Council include in its submission that consideration be given to adopting the Darwin City Council model for the appointment of the Deputy Lordy Mayor in Tasmania.

AMENDMENT LOST

VOTING RECORD

Amendment

Kelly

Elliot

To include in City of Hobart’s submission, that should during the term of an office the Deputy Lord Mayor leaves permanently,  the Council’s preference is that the replacement is selected through the same system used to fill a vacancy of a Councillor which is by a count back.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION
 CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.    The Council provide a submission to the Office of Local Government on the Local Government Electoral Bill, in accordance with the comments outlined in this report, and;

a.    In relation to proposed reform 33, the Council supports an increase in the proportion of electors required to compel a Council to hold an elector poll being lifted to 10 percent of electors rather than the proposed 20 percent.

b.    Officers include in City of Hobart’s submission, that should during the term of an office the Deputy Lord Mayor leaves permanently, the Council’s preference is that the replacement is selected through the same system used to fill a vacancy of a Councillor which is by a count back.

2.    The Council write to relevant parties expressing a desire for the relevant legislation to be amended to enable Council’s to adopt optional voting for residents aged 16-17 years.

Zucco

Harvey

That item 10 be recommitted to allow the vote on the substantive motion to be taken again.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Item 10 was then taken, followed immediately by a vote on the substantive motion.

18.      Remaking of Local Government Regulations

Sherlock

Kitsos

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 18 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the Council provide a submission to the Office of Local Government on the remaking of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2015 and the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015 in accordance with the comments outlined in this report.

19.      Elected Member Legal Costs

Sherlock

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 19 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Procedural Motion

Elliot

That the matter be deferred to a Council Workshop.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the matter be deferred to a Council Workshop.

20.      Local Government Association of Tasmania -
Motions for the April General Meeting

Sherlock

Kitsos

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 20 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Amendment

Lohberger

Harvey

That the words ‘abstain from voting on’ be replaced with ‘vote in favour of’ in clause (i).

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION
CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the Council resolve to instruct its delegates to:

(i)      vote in favour of the motion on Offshore Oil and Gas Development in Tasmania tabled by Waratah – Wynyard Council contained in Attachment B to item 20 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025;

(ii)     vote in favour of the motion on Public Open Space Contributions tabled by the Brighton Council contained in Attachment B to item 20 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025; and

(iii)    vote in favour of option 1, to reject the Bill; and support criteria (c) if the major amendments (option 2) prevails on the Development Assessment Panels tabled by Local Government Association of Tasmania contained in Attachment B to item 20 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025.

21.      Lease Arrangements - 22 Creek Road, Lenah Valley

Sherlock

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 21 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED
BY ABSOULTE MAJORITY

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.     The Council resolve by absolute majority to overturn its decision of 29 April 2024, being:

“The annual rental be $40,000 per annum (GST exclusive), with an annual adjustment for CPI.”

2.     The Council resolve:

“The annual rental be $40,000 per annum (GST inclusive), with an annual adjustment for CPI.”

22.      Public Meeting Response to Collins Street Bicycle Lanes

Sherlock

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 22 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

Amendment

Elliot

Zucco

That the Council develop a Public Meeting Policy to guide how future public meetings are conducted.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That:

1.      Council receive and note the passing of Motion Two (2), as contained with Attachment A to item 22 of the Open Council Meeting 2025, at the Public Meeting held on March 25 at ‘City Hall’ in accordance with section 60A(5) of the Local Government Act (Tas) 1993, and

2.      Council note that Motions one (1), three (3) and four (4) at the Public Meeting held on March 25 at City Hall in accordance with section 60A(5) of the Local Government Act (Tas) 1993 were lost.

3.        The Council develop a Public Meeting Policy to guide how future public meetings are conducted.

Sherlock

Posselt

That the motion be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

“That Council:

a.   Note that it is now developing a policy on electric vehicle (EV) charging as directed by Action 25 of the Hobart Transport Strategy (2024) and Priority 1.3 of the 2040 Climate Ready Hobart Strategy (2024), including addressing charging of EVs at home,

b.   Publicises on the Hobart City webpage what safe options are available to residents to charge EVs,

c.   Collaborate internally across the City of Hobart and externally with government, such as TasNetworks, to understand the safe options available to residents to charge their electric vehicles, and

d.   Provide an update to the Transport Committee on the development of the EV policy at their next scheduled meeting.”

Sherlock

Dutta

That the motion be adopted with the inclusion of an additional part that reads:

That the Council write to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Opposition Leader and Mr Andrew Wilkie seeking an election commitment for the government to fund the remediation of Cornelian Bay, noting sand was removed from Cornelian Bay during the Second World War.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

Part A

That a report be provided further to the Cornelian Bay Masterplan that is currently being developed by the Council, this notice of motion requests the Chief Executive Officer to complete the following actions:

1.   Work with the Derwent Estuary Program to undertake a water monitoring program in Cornelian Bay to assess current water quality levels in the Bay to identify areas of focus for its future remediation; and

Provide a report to the Council outlining future remedial options for improving water quality within the Bay to enable it to once again be classified as a primary contact recreational (i.e. Swimming) site under the Public Health Act 1997.

Part B

That the Council write to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence, the Opposition Leader and Mr Andrew Wilkie seeking an election commitment for the government to fund the remediation of Cornelian Bay, noting sand was removed from Cornelian Bay during the Second World War.

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

The motion was withdrawn

Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 1

31/03/2025

Question:

When will the next tranche of School Active Travel Plans be undertaken and Campbell Street Primary School be prioritised?

Response:

The next round of School Active Travel Plans will commence shortly with Mr Nelson being the focus. The timing of Campbell Street will need to be a matter for budgetary considerations next year.

Question:

Can an update be provided on the first round of development of School Active Travel Plans?

Response:

The Director Strategic and Regulatory Services took the question on notice.

Question:

As part of the community engagement for the proposed ferry terminal has the Council identified any exiting parking issues in the Waimea Avenue area and surrounding streets? And is the council working on the solution to this problem whish was raised with us by residents.

Response:

The Chief Executive Officer advised that yes, we are aware of parking problems in that area where there are cars are parking throughout the working day and we heard that throughout the engagement. We will be considering options to address the issues as we progress with considering all the engagement feedback.

Question:

When can I expect the responses to my questions in the January and February 2025 Council meetings in relation to legal expenses?

Response:

The Manager Legal and Corporate Governance advised work has commenced on collating that information however it needs to work in-hand with the associated RTI request and how that information is to be presented to the Chamber.

Question:

I provided some feedback a document that included the acknowledgement to country and noted it didn’t conform with the advice from the office of indigenous affairs where something that is specific to Hobart we need to mention the muwinina people and I was pleased to note the introduction at the start of the Council meeting changed however it has since changed again. Can we receive advise on the correct an appropriate acknowledgement of country at the start of meetings to ensure it meets the expectations of the muwinina people, noting they are no longer with us?

Response:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

With regard to the amount of transport related project and their importance moving forward and noting the increased amount of work some projects have required, can the Chief Executive Officer or the Director advise if they believe the transport team is adequately staffed to deliver the projects which the council has endorsed such as the Augusta Road separate cycle way, West Hobart LAMP and School Active Travel Plans?

Response:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Posselt

Sherlock

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 28.1 of the Open Council Agenda of 31 March 2025, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Council Resolution:

That the register of questions arising during debate be received and noted.

29.      Special Committees - Appointment of Members

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council make the following community member special committee appointments, with membership expiring at the end of the current term of Council in 2026:

(i)      Place and Wellbeing Special Committee:

(a)     Sarah Fitzpatrick

(b)     Margie Law

(c)     Anita Lewis

(ii)     Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Special Committee:

(a)       Emily Flies

(b)     Erika Hernandez

(c)     Leah Morrison

(d)     Maggie Nettleship

(e)     Matt Wilson

(f)      Sally Hayne

(g)     Sam Whitehead

2.      In accordance with regulation 15 (8) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, the Council has considered whether any discussion, decision, report or attachment related to this item can be released to the public, taking into account privacy and confidentiality issues, and resolve the Council decision be recorded in the minutes open portion of the meeting.