City
of hobart
MINUTES
The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting
Open Portion
Monday, 23 March 2026
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City
of hobart
MINUTES
The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting
Open Portion
Monday, 23 March 2026
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Minutes (Open Portion) The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting |
Page 2 |
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23/3/2026 |
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APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE
3. Consideration of Supplementary Items
4. Indications of Conflicts of Interest
6. Reports of Special Committees
7.1 Soldiers Memorial Avenue and the Role of FOSMA – Context, Challenges and Future Partnership
7.2 Summer Events 2025-26 Debrief and Future Planning
7.3 Governance of Motions - Notices of Motions Audit
9. Closed Portion of the Meeting
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Minutes (Open Portion) The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting |
Page 3 |
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23/03/2026 |
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The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting
(Open Portion) held
on Monday,
23 March 2026 at 4.01pm
in the Lady Osborne Room.
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS Councillor L M Elliot (Chairperson) Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Dr Z E Sherlock Councillor J L Kelly Alderman L A Bloomfield Councillor R J Posselt Councillor B Lohberger Councillor G H Kitsos
NOMINEE MEMBERS: Lord Mayor Councillor A M Reynolds Alderman M Zucco Councillor W F Harvey Councillor M S C Dutta Councillor W N S Coats
PRESENT: Councillor L M Elliot (Chairperson) Lord Mayor Councillor A M Reynolds Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Dr Z E Sherlock Councillor W F Harvey Councillor M S C Dutta Elected Members J L Kelly Alderman L A Bloomfield Councillor R J Posselt Councillor B Lohberger
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APOLOGIES: Alderman M Zucco Councillor G H Kitsos
LEAVE OF ABSENCE: Nil.
In accordance with clause 4.6 of the Terms of Reference, the Chief Executive Officer appointed the Lord Mayor Councillor A M Reynolds as a member of the committee to fill a committee member vacancy.
In accordance with clause 5.3 of the Terms of Reference, the Chief Executive Officer appointed Councillor W F Harvey and Councillor M S C Dutta as members of the committee.
QUORUM: There were 9 Elected Members present during the Open Portion of the meeting, therefore the quorum was set at 5. |
Councillor Posselt arrived at 4.10pm and was not present for items 1 to 6.1.
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The minutes of the Open Portion of the Hobart Workshop Committee meeting held on Monday, 16 March 2026, be confirmed as an accurate record.
VOTING RECORD
Committee Resolution:
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Ref: Part 2, Regulation 10(7) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025.
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That the Committee resolve to deal with any supplementary items not appearing on the agenda, as reported by the Chief Executive Officer.
No supplementary items were received.
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Ref: Part 2, Regulation 10(8) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025.
Elected Members are requested to indicate where they may have, or are likely to have, an interest in the agenda.
No interest was indicated.
Regulation 17 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025.
A Committee may close a part of a meeting to the public where a matter to be discussed falls within 17(2) of the above regulations.
In the event that the Committee transfers an item to the closed portion, the reasons for doing so should be stated.
Are there any items which should be transferred from this agenda to the closed portion of the agenda, or from the closed to the open portion of the agenda?
No items were transferred.
The City of Hobart utilises the workshop forum as allowed under the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025 as a mechanism to receive information in relation to specific matters.
In accordance with the Terms of Reference of the Committee, any matter that is listed on the agenda for workshopping may not be the subject of a Committee decision, other than a resolution that the item be noted.
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7.1 Soldiers Memorial Avenue and the Role of FOSMA – Context, Challenges and Future Partnership |
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Mr John Wadsley, President of the Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue (FOSMA) provided a presentation on the significance of Soldiers Memorial Avenue, the history of Friends of Soldiers Memorial Avenue (FOSMA) and key considerations for the Avenue’s future stewardship. |
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The following was discussed: · FOSMA was formed to promote the restoration and preservation of the soldiers memorial avenue on the Queens Domain in Hobart. They are a group of volunteers who undertake cleanups of the area from time to time, clean and polish plaques etc annually before ANZAC day commemorations, deliver presentations to educate the community on history and purpose of the Memorial Avenue, undertake research to populate the information on the plaques and provide ongoing ‘stewardship’ of the avenue to ensure that the area is properly managed and preserved. · Each soldier who died in the great war of 1914 to 1918 and lived in the Hobart and former New Town Councils boundaries, has a tree planted in his honour. For each tree planted, there is a plaque honouring each soldier initially the plaques were in made in zinc and now in bronze. The zinc plaques were donated to Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) in 2014. · The avenue is not just a memorial, but also an open space for the community to enjoy.
It was noted that: · The trees planted in honour of the fallen are cedar, members noted that FOSMA would be open to discussing the possibility of planting trees that are native to the Domain, such as White Gums, rather than replanting Cedar. Mowing around the trees was also discussed as some members liked the look of native grasses. It was noted that having the area mowed was a good fire break as the Hobart Domain has had bush fires in the past and could again. · Bronze plaques were stolen recently. The plaques have since been returned, but were damaged, it was noted that replacement plaques will cost around $800. The Director Infrastructure and Assets advised that the City is currently undertaking an audit on the condition of all plaques on the avenue. The audit will identify the scope of work required and the likely cost. The report will be presented to Council once complete. The possibility of moving to different technology, and if FOSMA would be open to having QR Codes rather than bronze plaques was discussed. · FOSMA received funding and support in kind from the City of Hobart in the past. They have also received funding from a range of other organisations such as Tassal, RSL, DVA, Tasmanian Community fund, family members of the soldiers, etc. · Other funding sources and opportunities were discussed including the possibility of FOSMA seeking a grant from the State Government’s Teddy Sheean Grants Program, the possibility of developing and delivering tours of the soldiers memorial avenue and seeking some funding from the Lord Mayors charitable trust. · There is an opportunity for FOSMA to reach out to migrant organisations as migrants often do not have knowledge of Tasmania’s history and are interested in it. · Council is looking at undertaking works at Davies Avenue on a pedestrian crossing which is welcomed by FOSMA. It was also noted that State Growth are looking to undertake some works on widening the underpass. FOSMA have made it clear to State Growth that trees are not to be removed. · There is a need to review Council’s responsibility in relation to FOSMA and to consider creating a master plan and /or an action plan to include guidelines on tree plantings, future funding and works to be carried out by the Council.
Elected Members acknowledged the fantastic work undertaken by FOSMA volunteers and thanked Mr John Wadsley for his presentation.
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a FOSMA Presentation ⇨ |
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The Manager Creative City, Justyne Wilson and the Senior Events Officer, Kane Forbes gave a presentation on Summer Events 2025-26 Debrief and Future Planning. Elected members were asked to provide feedback on the proposed 2026-27 program.
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Elected Members discussed the following: · The 2026/27 budget is likely to be very similar to 2025/26 budget of approximately $533k and questioned when Council will be approving the budget. · Arts Tasmania has a new creative strategy, which may mean that some funding is available from the State Government for Creative projects. · Feedback from businesses is that Council needs to look at ways in which people who are attracted into the City for Christmas activities are encouraged to spend more – can other activities be organised in line with say the Christmas pageant (e.g. scavenger hunt) to keep people in the City longer, move them around and encourage them to engage with local businesses. · Feedback received from the community was that the pageant was enjoyable. There were 16 new floats this year and the committee noted how valuable Naomi, the long standing lead artist, is for mentoring community groups participating in the Myer City of Hobart Christmas pageant. · The possibility of being able to extend the sponsorship of the Christmas Pageant to other interested parties can happen. However Myers sponsorship of the event gives Myers exclusive naming rights. · The new branding looks great and the story behind the branding is really great. · That any new Christmas decorations be locally made by Tasmanian artists, unique, not made of plastic and be long lasting. · If Christmas decorations could extend across the street, keen to see decorations done well (even if there are less). The flags are no longer noticeable as there are flags on display around the City all year round. · Refreshing the Christmas carol program, if the Christmas carol program should return to one Hobart event (rather than having a number of community events at different locations) and the possibility of having an artistic advisor. · If the City’s Christmas tree could be moved to an alternative location as Mawsons Place is very exposed to the weather, (particularly the wind) and if Mawson’s place is good location for families. · The possibility of having a laser light show and consider engaging an audio-visual artist.
Elected Members noted that the next steps are to continue with the decoration renewal, commission local artists for new works, progress Pageant Safety and Emergency Planning Review, improve New Year’s Eve communications, explore expanded night-time economy activities and; investigate community-let Neighbourhood Christmas Trees.
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a Summer Events Presentation ⇨ |
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The Chief Executive Officer, Michael Stretton and the Acting Director Corporate Services, Michelle Wickham, took Elected Members through the proposed actions in respect of the current and active Notices of Motions.
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Elected Members were invited to review the Completed NoM lists (Attachment A) and the NoMs that are still being actioned (Attachment B) and to raise any concerns with the relevant Director.
Questions were raised regarding the following NoMs: · The Lord Mayor enquired about the Montpelier Retreat. · The CEO clarified that NoM #560 Future of Dorney House included Beaumaris Zoo and advised that a report will be coming to Council soon.
The general feedback was that Elected Members would like to have regular updates on how NoMs are progressing.
The CEO advised that Directors are required to provide an update on where things are at in relation to NoMs and Significant Actions. The NoMs and Significant Actions table is being reported once a month through the Elected Member’s Bulletin. When items are considered complete, they will be marked as ‘this matter is considered complete’. The item will be reported one more time as ‘being considered complete’, then it will be removed.
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Regulations 33 and 34 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025.
File Ref: 13-1-10
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Questions: What is happening in relation to the report on the condition of the Tasman Bridge? There was someone from State Growth who was going to address concerns in relation to the structure of the bridge? Response: The Chief Executive Officer advised that there is some work happening in that space so it is probably timely to get a representative from State Growth. The question was taken on notice. |
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Question: Can Elected Members be given a report on the cost for hosting of sporting events at the North Hobart Oval – e.g. what we Charge and what we spend to host these events? Response: The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice. |
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Question: Can Elected Members be given an debrief on the ‘operations’ of Devil’s VFL match on Saturday 21/3/2026 - such as managing lines (e.g. logjams of spectators attempting to enter the ground). Response: The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice. |
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That the Committee resolve by majority that the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to regulation 17(1) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2025 because the items included on the closed agenda contain the following matters:
· Minutes of a Closed Portion of the Committee Meeting · Personnel Matters · Closed Questions Without Notice
The following items were discussed:
Item No. 1 Minutes of the last meeting of the Closed Portion of the Committee Meeting Item No. 2 Consideration of supplementary items to the agenda Item No. 3 Indications of conflicts of interest Item No. 4 Items For Workshopping Item No. 4.1 Chief Executive Officer's Performance Plan - 6-Monthly Update LG(MP)R 17(2)(a) Item No. 5 Questions Without Notice
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VOTING RECORD
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There being no further business the Open portion of the meeting closed at 5.57pm.
TAKEN AS READ AND SIGNED AS A CORRECT RECORD
THIS
13th DAY OF april 2026.
CHAIRperson
