Council - 27 Apr 2026 4.00pm

Article-worthy topics

• New shared micromobility tender to proceed
  Council endorsed officers starting an open market public tender for a new Shared Micromobility Program provider under permit, with the program to be exclusively for e-bikes from 1 October 2026.
  Residents can expect a new shared e-bike scheme later in 2026, replacing broader micromobility options with an e-bike-only model.

Key decisions

• New shared micromobility tender to proceed
  Council endorsed officers starting an open market public tender for a new Shared Micromobility Program provider under permit, with the program to be exclusively for e-bikes from 1 October 2026.
  Residents can expect a new shared e-bike scheme later in 2026, replacing broader micromobility options with an e-bike-only model.
• City Hall area identified for future cultural precinct planning
  Council resolved to identify the area centred on City Hall, Theatre Royal/Hedberg, TMAG, Federation Concert Hall, and potentially Council Centre, Town Hall and Civic Square/Mawsons Place as a future cultural precinct, and to work with major state and cultural partners.
  This may shape future investment, programming, and public-space changes in central Hobart's civic and arts precinct.
• 2026-27 fees and charges adopted with amended visitor accommodation planning fees
  Council adopted the 2026-27 Schedule of Fees and Charges with amended planning application fees for change of use to visitor accommodation: $250 for permitted applications and $5,000 for discretionary applications.
  Property owners and applicants seeking visitor accommodation approvals will face updated application charges.
• South Hobart green spaces petition received with no further action
  Council received and noted the petition titled 'Keep Green Spaces in South Hobart Shared for all Community Members', decided to take no further action, and to advise the lead petitioners of the report information.
  People involved in the South Hobart green space issue will not see additional council action arising directly from this petition.
• TasWater lease amended at Cornelian Bay Point
  Council approved an amendment to TasWater's 15 November 2024 lease for land at Cornelian Bay Point to allow importation of an additional 15,000 cubic metres of fill, including low-level contaminated soil and clean fill.
  This affects works and land use management at Cornelian Bay Point, with potential local interest in site activity and environmental controls.

Important topics

• Lower Wellesley Park dog facilities concerns
  Council received and noted a response to a public question taken on notice about the proposed dog fence at Lower Wellesley Park, and also received a deputation from Amanda Sinclair and Lucy Musik on proposed dog facilities there.
  Residents concerned about dog access and park design at Lower Wellesley Park should expect the issue to remain under public discussion.
• Cat Management in Tasmania discussion paper motion lost
  A council motion linked to the Cat Management in Tasmania discussion paper was put and lost.
  No council-backed position or action resulted from this item at this meeting.
• Footpath and pedestrian infrastructure notice of motion considered
  A notice of motion called for a city-wide audit of footpaths and pedestrian crossings, a funded maintenance program, and recognition of pedestrian infrastructure as a core service. The extract does not clearly record a final substantive outcome beyond procedural handling.
  Pedestrian safety and footpath maintenance were raised as major issues, but the available extract does not confirm a completed decision.
• Capital works cost overrun reporting notice of motion lost
  A notice of motion seeking mandatory standalone council approval for project and capital works cost increases above 10 per cent was debated and lost.
  Council kept its existing budget and delegation framework rather than introducing a fixed reapproval trigger for overruns.

Resident impacts

• Shared hire mobility in Hobart is set to move to an e-bike-only model from 1 October 2026.
• Visitor accommodation applicants will face updated planning fees, especially for discretionary applications.
• Future planning for central Hobart may increasingly focus on a linked cultural precinct around key civic and arts venues.
• The South Hobart petition did not result in new council action.
• Works at Cornelian Bay Point can proceed under an amended TasWater lease allowing additional fill material.

Places affected

• Lower Wellesley Park (park)
  Public questions and a deputation addressed proposed dog facilities and a proposed dog fence.
• South Hobart (suburb)
  Subject of the green spaces petition received and noted by council.
• City Hall (civic building)
  Central site in proposed future cultural precinct planning and activation work.
• Cornelian Bay Point (foreshore/site)
  Location of the amended TasWater lease allowing additional fill importation.
• Civic Square/Mawsons Place (public space)
  Potentially included in the future cultural precinct area.
• Town Hall (civic building)
  Potentially included in the future cultural precinct area.
• Theatre Royal/Hedberg (arts venue)
  Included in the identified future cultural precinct area.
• Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) (museum)
  Included in the identified future cultural precinct area.

Next steps

• Officers to commence an open market tender for a new shared micromobility provider
  Ahead of the new program start on 1 October 2026
• Council to work with the State Government and cultural institutions on the future cultural precinct concept
  Ongoing
• Updated 2026-27 fees and charges to be implemented
  For the 2026-27 financial year
• Lead petitioners on the South Hobart green spaces petition to be advised of the report information
  After the meeting
• TasWater lease amendment for Cornelian Bay Point to be enacted subject to stated conditions
  After council approval

Extracted minutes text

MINUTES Open Portion Monday, 27 April 2026 At 4.00pm Council Chamber, Town Hall Minutes (Open Portion) Council Meeting 27/4/2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS PRESENT, APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ................................................... 4 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 4 3. TRANSFER OF AGENDA ITEMS ............................................................. 5 4. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRPERSON .................................... 5 5. NOTIFICATION OF COUNCIL WORKSHOPS ......................................... 6 6. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME ...............................................................