Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 3

11/11/2024

Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 5

11/11/2024

The Chairperson reports that she has perused the minutes of the meeting of the Open Portion of the Council meeting held on Monday, 14 October 2024, finds them to be a true record and recommends that they be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Sherlock

Kitsos                                                      That the recommendation be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The minutes were signed.

Zucco

Bloomfield                                                                                                              

That item 24 be held after item 9.  

MOTION LOST

VOTING RECORD

Note: Public Question Time was conducted in two portions with the item re-opened later in the meeting.

Susan Wallace put the following question which was taken on notice.

Question:

Councillors will be aware that the State Government has announced plans to sell the historic state-owned Treasury buildings.  This has already been met with dismay by many of my fellow rate payers.  There are so many wonderful public uses that these buildings could be put to. To borrow from Open House Hobart the Treasury and Finance complex comprises of eight buildings that are regarded as the most significant in Tasmania's administrative history including the oldest Supreme Court in Australia built in 1824.

Will the Council be developing an alternative proposal that would see these historic buildings stay in public hands or possibly in a public private partnership to add to the amenity, cultural life and liveability of our city? What can the rate payers do to help develop such a proposal?

Maria Riddle put the following question which was not accepted as it related to an item on the Council agenda. A written response will be provided if not answered during debate of the item.  

Question:
Can the Council to hold a public meeting regarding the proposed lanes in Campbell Street and Argyle Street?

Can the Council please itemise what exactly was asked and how consultation was conducted with the public and the affected businesses on Collins Street.  From what I understand pieces of paper were handed out and or somebody was standing on the street and asking questions – that's not consultation but appears selective and at a minimum because the outcome was already decided?

Chris Merridew put the following question which was not accepted as it related to an item on the Council agenda. A written response will be provided if not answered during debate of the item.

Question:
The question I submitted to the previous meeting of the Council was what are the projected increases in exhaust emissions as the traffic will be queuing for much longer at each intersection because there shall only be one exit gate.  For example, when you come out of two lanes out of Centrepoint there shall be one lane out of Victoria Street which cuts that capacity to move cars down by 50% whether you are going to the right up Collins Street to South Hobart to Kingston to Huonville or across to Macquarie Street to the Eastern Shore or down Collins Street.  I cannot understand why I get an answer back from the Director who says it's very difficult to quantify the emissions and it is not envisaged that the Collins Street proposal will result in an increase in environmental emissions.  The Council for many years has been concentrating on removing cars from the city with the sole purpose of trying partly to remove exhaust emissions, can you please explain why I get an answer that says basically exhaust emissions are not Council’s concern in the city?

Andrew Edwards put the following questions which were not accepted as they related to an item on the Council agenda. A written response will be provided if not answered during debate of the item.

Questions:
Will the Council stand by their honesty and integrity in making decisions in relation to specific public proposals. i.e. will every statement that the Council issues be factually correct and honestly researched?

Will the Council make decisions based on empirical, justifiable and recognised basis of information?

When will we get the pre-installation parameters and the measurement factor?

It is a 2-year trial period, will we get the opportunity to have the 3 months, 6 months, 12 months analysis of the effectiveness made public?

Will the Council implement those changes as received during that period or will they land bank them and say at the end of 24 months “oh it's all gone”, or will they interpret them and change things if necessary based on stakeholder feedback which is already on the table and acknowledged by Councillor Harvey in his meeting on the 31^st?

Chris Merridew put the following questions which was taken on notice.

Questions:
I'd like to follow up on a matter that was raised by Alderman Zucco to install a bike rack system at the Molle Street end of the Rivulet Track.  This has a variety of attractions, in that the cyclists are looking for somewhere to store their bicycles and their change of gear but according to the Menzies Research Centre, it is much more beneficial to health and mental health to walk rather than cycle.  When walking you can talk and interact with your fellow walkers who are walking down the track rather than riding past them which isn't an interactive action.  So, I felt that the suggestion had some serious merit and my question is, would the City Council, in deciding what you're going to do with the Collins Street changes, give this some serious consideration?

Having worked in that area, I'm very conscious that there are a vast amount of vehicle crossovers on both sides, averaging about 17 per block of crossovers - vehicle entries into car dealerships, into government offices, picture theatres, private premises, commercial premises with underground car parking etc which necessitates crossing the footpath and it concerns me that we're now using so many courier vehicles in the city that they will have to negotiate crossing into any of those places, not just the pedestrians that are quite clearly visible but somebody who's coming behind them when they're driving a courier van that don’t have windows in the back so their visibility is very restricted. Would the Council consider in their assessments, running an inbound shared footpath down Collins Street coming into the city and an outbound shared footpath going up because once they get to Molle Street it's a shared footpath up to South Hobart?

Richard Gerathy put the following question which was not accepted as it related to an item on the Council agenda. A written response will be provided if not answered during debate of the item.

Question:
There has been a lot of statements that if the trial goes ahead the businesses in Collins Street will have increased business and greater profitability, so is the Council or during the trial, will the Council be measuring the turnover of each and every business and the walk up traffic, will they be measuring it and reporting back every 3 months? 

Is there any baseline data on the current turnover and walk-up traffic of the businesses so we can see how it compares and if the statements that the changes to the traffic patterns will increase businesses are actually true and can we have a commitment from Council for that please? 

“In accordance with the procedures approved in respect to Public Questions Time, the following responses to questions taken on notice are provided to the Council for information.

The Council is reminded that in accordance with Regulation 31(4) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, the Chairperson is not to allow discussion or debate on either the question or the response.”

Sherlock

posselt

That the following responses to public questions taken on notice, be received:

6.2.1 Plan B - Media Launch

Response of the Director City Futures of 6 November 2024.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The Chief Executive Officer tabled a petition calling for the Council to:

Call for a free, independent Palestine and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Cut all financial and public ties to the Apartheid Israeli State and any private business or government that supports them materially or trades with them.

Sanctions any private business operating in Hobart City who produce dual use material that are used for manufacturing weapons.

There were 100 signatories to the petition.

Sherlock

Kitsos                                                                                                                

That the petition be received and noted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Attachments

a    Petition - Sanction War Profiteering in Hobart City ⇨  

10.      Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Project of State Significance – Integrated Assessment Notification and Consultation Request

Lohberger

Dutta     

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

Amendment

Kitsos

Posselt                                                                                                                      

That the following additional clauses be included:

3.    The Council request mesoscopic modelling to understand the impacts on the Hobart CBD and that Council urgently advise the Commission to seek clarity from the State Government as to how the network will function if the bridge is not included in the application.

4.    A comprehensive, independent Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment be conducted by expert consultants, to assess potential effects on the Federation Concert Hall, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal and Film Studio, practice rooms, and the ABC Recording Studio.

5.    More detail regarding waste removal from the site including the frequency and volume.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Harvey

Posselt                                                                                                                      

That Councillor Dutta be granted an additional three minutes to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Sherlock

Harvey                                                                                                                        

That Alderman Zucco be granted an additional three minutes to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council note and endorse the attached response letter (Attachment A) in relation to Council setting out its views per Section 21(2) of the State Policies and Projects Act 1993 for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Project of State Significance.

2.      The Council notes the Section 22 of the State Policies and Projects Act, consultation request from the Tasmanian Planning Commission to Council for the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Project of State Significance in letter dated 25 September 2024 (Attachment B).

3.        The Council request mesoscopic modelling to understand the impacts on the Hobart CBD and that Council urgently advise the Commission to seek clarity from the State Government as to how the network will function if the bridge is not included in the application.

4.        A comprehensive, independent Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment be conducted by expert consultants, to assess potential effects on the Federation Concert Hall, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal and Film Studio, practice rooms, and the ABC Recording Studio.

5.        More detail regarding waste removal from the site including the frequency and volume.

11.      Stormwater System Management Plan

Lohberger

Posselt         

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The City adopt the Stormwater System Management Plan as required by the section 10 of the Urban Drainage Act 2013, which is comprised of the document marked as Attachment A to item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024.

2.      A review of the Stormwater System Management Plan be completed using the most up to date information available, once the Council’s flood mapping is updated.

12.      State Coastal Policy Submission

Sherlock

Kitsos   

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 12 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council endorse the submission to the State Planning Office regarding the Review of the State Coastal Policy – Development of Actively Mobile Landforms, marked as Attachment A to item 12 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024.

13.      Proposed Electrical Infrastructure Easement (TasNetworks) - 20 McVilly Drive, Queens Domain

Sherlock

Lohberger  

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 13 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL REOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council agree to grant TasNetworks an easement as shown in the Easement Deed at Attachment A to this report.

2.      The CEO be authorised to negotiate the final terms and conditions of the easement, and to extinguish any redundant easements associated with the proposed works.

3.      TasNetworks undertake all works, documentation and complete the easement registration at its cost.

14.      Response to Development Assessment Panel (Draft Bill)

Sherlock

Lohberger

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 14 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

Sherlock

Harvey                                                                                                                        

That Alderman Zucco be granted an additional one minute to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Harvey

Lohberger                                                                                                               

That the Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Sherlock be granted an additional two minutes to sum up.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council endorse the draft submission to the Development Assessment Panel Draft Bill, marked as Attachment A to item 14 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024.

15.      Local Government Association of Tasmania -
Motions for November General Meeting

Sherlock

Kitsos   

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

The Lord Mayor then put each clause separately.

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (i))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (ii))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (iii))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (iv))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (v))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (vi))

VOTING RECORD

MOTION CARRIED
(Clause (vii))

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council resolve to instruct its delegates to:

(i)      vote against the motion on Lowering the timeframe for making a Code of Conduct complaint tabled by Circular Head Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(ii)     vote in favour of the motion on Cat Management Legislation tabled by the Clarence City Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(iii)    vote in favour of the motion on Crown Road Reserves tabled by Huon Valley Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(iv)    vote against the motion on Video Conference Attendance tabled by King Island Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(v)     vote against the motion on the Retrospective Leave of Absence tabled by King Island Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(vi)    vote against both motions on the Development Assessment Panels tabled by Local Government Association of Tasmania contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024;

(vii)   vote in favour of the motion on the Government Business Enterprises Rate Equivalent Payments tabled by Central Highlands Council contained in Attachment B to item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024.

16.      Loan Repayment Review

Lohberger

Kitsos   

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 16 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council note that an assessment of the proposal to payout a long-term Commonwealth Bank of Australia loan of approximately $3 million indicates that there is no financial benefit to the City to payout the loan early.

2.      The Council note that City Officers will review the early repayment option on an annual basis to determine if there is a net benefit to the City of paying out the loan early.

17.      2023-24 Financial Statements

Harvey

Posselt         

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 17 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That Council note that in accordance with section 84(4) of the Local Government Act 1993 that the Chief Executive Officer tabled the certified financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.

18.      Quarterly Financial Report - 30 September 2024

Sherlock

Harvey

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 18 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Quarterly Financial Report for the period ending 30 September 2024 be noted; and

2.      The below proposed capital variation requests to the 2024‑25 Budget Estimates be approved:

19.      2024-25 Capital Works Program Report as at 30 September 2024

Sherlock

Posselt         

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 19 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the report titled ‘2024-25 Capital Works Program Report as at 30 September 2024’, dated 23 October 2024, be noted.  

20.      Procurement - Quotation Exemption Report

Harvey

Lohberger  

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 20 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council note the exemptions granted from the requirement to seek three written quotations for the period 1 July to 30 September 2024, marked as Attachment A to this report.

21.      City of Hobart Mid-Term Report

Sherlock

Posselt         

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 21 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council receive the City of Hobart Mid-Term Report 2022-2024

22.      Code of Conduct Determination Report
Councillor Ryan Posselt v Councillor Louise Elliot

Sherlock

Coats    

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 22 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the Council receive and note the Code of Conduct Determination Report in respect to a complaint lodged by Councillor Ryan Posselt against Councillor Louise Elliot, shown as Attachment A to this report.

Motion

Sherlock

Dutta                                                                                                                           

That item 6.1 Public Question Time, be re-opened to allow a further three public questions from the floor.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Item 6.1.4 was then taken.

23.      Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial Engagement Report

Motion

“That Council:

1.   Provide a copy of the Engagement Report on the Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial to the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business as contained in the Council Meeting Agenda dated 16 September 2024 to ensure members are informed as to the extent of engagement and findings.

2.   Invite the Confederation of Greater Hobart Businesses to discuss with its members concerns with relevant Council officers with the Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial to ensure the Confederation fully understands the extent of the trial and why alternative configurations could not be accommodated.

3.   Officers prepare a report on the current issues, costings and timings on extending the operating hours of the Centrepoint and other Council operated multi-storey carparks in the CBD to allow utilisation beyond the current operating hours.”

Rationale:

“Council recognises the important health benefits of cycling, the rights of cyclists to ride safely and that safe infrastructure is required. On 31 October 2024 there was a public meeting on the Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial. This motion appreciates the sentiments and commentary noted at the public meeting and wishes to address the concerns of the businesses and individuals who were present at that meeting.

Commentary at the meeting emphasised that Council had not adequately consulted on the issue. Business owners discussed many issues, but several comments highlighted that the report had not only lacked consultation regarding ancillary impacts, but also did not resolve issues of:

·    the impacts of removing loading zones for businesses that have products required to be shipped in on pallets,

·    development applications for businesses with the requirement of approved parking that would no longer be available under their development application if parking was removed,

·    the limited hours of operation of the City’s major multi-storey carparks,

·    the impact of bike lanes on the airport bus, which would potentially have to park on the road and have the effect of stopping traffic,

·    care workers bringing in individuals to the City that require front door service,

·    the period of time that businesses would be impacted during the infrastructure process, which could be around upwards of a 30% income reduction and

·    impacts on the night economy.

The rationale of this motion is to consider some of the concerns recorded and raised at this meeting and respond with the evidence that has been obtained, identified and potentially worked through, by Council officers.”

Sherlock

Kitsos                                                                      That the motion be adopted.

Posselt

Kitsos                                                                                                                         

That the Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Sherlock be granted an additional three minutes to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Amendment

Harvey

Posselt                                                                                                                      

That an additional clause be included:

4.    Officers prepare a report for Council exploring options to retain loading zone and parking opportunities between Victoria and Murray Street to be trialled as part of the scheduled 3, 6 or 12 month adjustments.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

Sherlock

Elliot                                                                                                                          

That Alderman Zucco be granted an additional three minutes to address the meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That Council:

1.   Provide a copy of the Engagement Report on the Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial to the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business as contained in the Council Meeting Agenda dated 16 September 2024 to ensure members are informed as to the extent of engagement and findings.

2.   Invite the Confederation of Greater Hobart Businesses to discuss with its members concerns with relevant Council officers with the Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial to ensure the Confederation fully understands the extent of the trial and why alternative configurations could not be accommodated.

3.    Officers prepare a report on the current issues, costings and timings on extending the operating hours of the Centrepoint and other Council operated multi-storey carparks in the CBD to allow utilisation beyond the current operating hours.

4.    Officers prepare a report for Council exploring options to retain loading zone and parking opportunities between Victoria and Murray Street to be trialled as part of the scheduled 3, 6 or 12 month adjustments.

24.      Collins Street Cycleway Project

Motion

“That:

1.   The current Collins Street cycleway project be deferred indefinitely.

2.   The Hobart City Council immediately undertake an independent economic impact study on potential effects to surrounding businesses in Collins Street and surrounding streets in the vicinity including the CBD business district”

Rationale:

“Consensus from the meeting of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business held on 31 October 2024 was that the current proposal in its entirety goes too far and any future proposal MUST include an independent economic impact study on potential effects to surrounding businesses and the CBD in general. The meeting passed a motion to immediately proceed towards an elector poll should the Council not reconsider its intent on implementing bike ways within the CBD and business prescient to the detriment of the business sector."

Bloomfield

Elliot                                                                       That the motion be adopted.

MOTION LOST

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

The motion was lost.

25.      RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Regulation 29 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

File Ref: 13-1-10

The Council is reminded that in accordance with Regulation 29(3) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, the Chairperson is not to allow discussion or debate on either the question or the response.

Posselt

Lohberger  

That the following responses to Questions Without Notice be received and noted:

Memorandum of the Acting Director City Life 31 October 2024.

Memorandum of the Director City Futures 6 November 2024.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

26.      QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Regulation 29 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

File Ref: 13-1-10

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer provide an update on the Dark Sky City project and what Committee it reports through to from a governance perspective?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise on the cost of running the biochar collaboration project occurring at McRobies Gully, how successful it has been and what Committee it reports through to from a governance perspective?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise if Metro Tasmania has been formally consulted with in regard to the Collins Street changes and if so, when did that consultation occur and do we have agreement to remove the public bus stops on Collins Street?

Answer:

The Director City Futures advised that yes consultation did occur however took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer if Elected Members can ask questions of officers throughout the month, via email, meetings etc or just during the Questions Without Notice agenda item?

Answer:

The Lord Mayor advised yes, it is easy to ask questions at any time.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer if the 3G to 4G network upgrade in relation to parking meters went smoothly?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer provide an update on the roll-out of the new parking meter sensors and how the project is going?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer provide the Council with some data on the number of parking tickets voided/withdrawn in the last 12 months compared to the previous 12 months?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise if officers have done any research into the type of parking meters used in Christchurch?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise if when the State Government removed a large number of parking spaces on Davey and Macquarie Streets over recent years, did they introduce more public transport services?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice. 

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise what is the end-of-life period for the current blue parking meters?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice. 

Question:

Can the Chief Executive Officer advise if when the State Government removed the 93 parking spaces in Davey and Macquarie Streets, did the Council object to that or try to stop that happening?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

Question:

Does the Chief Executive Officer know if the State Government did an economic impact assessment of the impact of the loss of the 93 parking spaces in Davey and Macquarie Streets on businesses and do we know if they modified their plan in response to concerns raised?

Answer:

The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice. 

27.      Questions Taken on Notice During Debate

  Sherlock

Kitsos   

That the register of questions arising during debate, marked as Attachment A to item 27 of the Open Council Agenda of 11 November 2024, be received and noted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD