Council - 29 Jun 2026 4.00pm

Topics

• Hobart council adopts 2026-27 budget with 3.5% rates revenue rise
  Council has locked in next year’s budget, including a general rate of 0.3016 cents in the dollar and an overall 3.5% rates revenue increase.
  This affects every ratepayer and sets the financial framework for council services, maintenance and capital works.
• Waste, FOGO and levy-offset charges set for 2026-27
  Council adopted new waste-related service charges, including residential and non-residential waste charges, FOGO collection fees and a levy offset charge.
  These charges flow straight into household and business bills and affect how people access waste services.
• Parking income and meter changes flagged as council revenue issue
  Public questioning highlighted a 20% rise in carparking costs and concern about lost income from parking meters near the Royal Hobart Hospital and elsewhere.
  Parking policy affects drivers, commuters, hospital visitors, traders and council finances.

Decisions

• 2026-27 Budget, Annual Plan and Rates adopted
  Council adopted the 2026-27 Budget Estimates, Annual Plan and Rates Resolution, including a general rate of 0.3016 cents in the dollar of capital value and differential rates by land use.
  Sets the level of rates and the funding available for council services, maintenance and capital works across Hobart.
• Fees and charges update approved
  The 2026-27 Fees and Charges Update was approved as part of the budget package.
  Affects the cost of council services, permits, facilities and related user charges.
• Climate Compensation advocacy motion carried
  Council backed a motion to write to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy and local MP Andrew Wilkie calling for a Climate Compensation Fund, a Climate Pollution Levy on fossil fuel exporters, and dedicated funding for local governments.
  Aims to shift some climate-related costs away from ratepayers and strengthen funding for local adaptation and recovery.
• School Active Travel Plans endorsed
  Council endorsed active travel plans for Albuera Street Primary School, Lenah Valley Primary School and Mount Nelson Primary School, with projects to be considered through future budget processes and an added note that plans should include local area mobility plan summaries.
  Supports safer and more practical walking, wheeling and travel options for school families in those areas.
• Housing Action Plan endorsed
  Council endorsed the Housing Action Plan and Background Paper, including changes in Attachment E, to be reflected in the final documents before publication.
  Shapes housing policy direction and future work on affordability and supply in Hobart.
• Salvation Army Street to Home partnership funded
  Council approved a three-year financial contribution to the Salvation Army’s Street to Home program at $35,000 per year from 1 July 2026, with 3% indexation in years two and three.
  Provides ongoing support for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
• Halls Saddle Visitor Hub preferred option noted
  Council received the Halls Saddle Visitor Hub Master Plan Options Analysis, noted Option 3 as preferred and Option 4 as an alternative if extra parking is needed, and requested a future discussion paper on safe vehicle access to the Pinnacle.
  Could affect visitor access, parking and future development around a key tourism destination.
• Live sites and watch parties policy to be developed
  Council requested officers develop a policy for regular live site, fan zone and watch party activations for major sporting and cultural events, and return a report on capital and operating costs, including comparisons with permanent or mobile screen options.
  Could lead to more public events and changes to how council supports large gatherings in the city centre.
• LGAT motion on Australia Post closures supported
  Council agreed to submit a motion through LGAT asking the association to raise concerns about ongoing closure of Licensed Post Offices and seek a review of Australia Post legislation.
  Relates to access to postal, parcel and some banking-related services used by residents and businesses.
• Community engagement recording practices to be reviewed
  Council supported a motion to strengthen records of community engagement, including reviewing how one-on-one interviews and discussions may be recorded and verified in the forthcoming Community Engagement Framework review.
  May change how residents’ feedback is documented and how consultation confidence is maintained.
• Regatta Quay briefing requested
  Council requested officers arrange a briefing session on the Regatta Quay concept from the proponents as soon as possible, ideally within four weeks.
  Signals an early-stage step on a waterfront concept that could have planning and access implications.

Discussion

• Budget balance and savings
  The Lord Mayor said the budget targets a modest $3 million surplus, includes more than $3 million in operational savings, and maintains a sustainable debt position.
  Shows council is trying to hold down cost pressures while funding services and works.
• Parking revenue pressure
  Public questions and debate highlighted concern about a 20% parking cost increase and the impact of removing or changing parking meters near the Royal Hobart Hospital, Argyle Street, Campbell Street and Gladstone Street.
  Parking changes can affect commuters, hospital visitors, traders and council revenue.
• Wellesley Park dog park decision revisited
  Council considered a motion to overturn part of a previous decision about the fenced off-lead dog park at Lower Wellesley Park, South Hobart.
  Directly affects dog owners and park users in South Hobart.
• Community service fee settings for waste
  The rates resolution included waste management service charges for residential and non-residential properties, FOGO collection charges, and a waste management levy offset charge.
  Influences household and business waste bills and service access.
• Permanent brigade district fire rate variations
  Council set different fire rate levels by land use, including residential, commercial, industrial, public enterprise and sporting/recreation categories.
  Affects the amount different property owners pay through rates.
• Capital works spending priorities
  The budget allocates funding to road and footpath renewal, stormwater renewal, aquatic centre upgrades, the Domain Athletic Centre track and Wellington Centre lifts.
  Indicates where residents may see infrastructure repairs and facility improvements.
• Workshop history and prior briefings noted
  The meeting record noted recent council workshops on parking, the draft annual plan and budget, health project road impacts, the central Hobart plan, MacPoint and sport infrastructure.
  Explains the background to decisions on parking, roads and future city projects.

Impacts

• Rates and charges are changing for 2026-27, including general rates, differential rates and waste-related service charges.
• Residential ratepayers were told the average rates rise equates to about $1.82 per week.
• Parking costs and parking meter changes may affect visitors, workers, hospital access and nearby businesses.
• Households and businesses may see different waste, FOGO and levy-offset charges.
• School families at Albuera Street Primary, Lenah Valley Primary and Mount Nelson Primary may benefit from safer active travel measures.
• People experiencing homelessness may benefit from continued funding for the Salvation Army Street to Home program.
• Dog owners in South Hobart may be affected by the Wellesley Park dog park debate.
• Residents and businesses may benefit from stronger advocacy on climate funding, post office access and public event activations.

Places

• Hobart (city)
  Council adopted the 2026-27 budget, rates, plans and several citywide policy motions.
• South Hobart (suburb)
  Referenced in relation to Lower Wellesley Park and the dog park decision.
• Lower Wellesley Park (park)
  Subject of the off-lead dog park decision being revisited.
• Royal Hobart Hospital (hospital precinct)
  Mentioned in parking changes affecting nearby meters and access.
• Argyle Street (street)
  Named in relation to parking meter changes near the hospital area.
• Campbell Street (street)
  Named in relation to parking meter changes near the hospital area.
• Gladstone Street (street)
  Proposed parking meter removal area mentioned in budget/public question discussion.
• Halls Saddle (visitor hub area)
  Subject of the visitor hub master plan options analysis.

Next

• Publish and implement the adopted 2026-27 budget, rates and fees resolution
  From 1 July 2026
• Progress capital works and service delivery under the 2026-27 Annual Plan
  During 2026-27
• Write to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Andrew Wilkie MP on climate compensation funding
  As soon as practicable after the meeting
• Implement the Salvation Army Street to Home partnership
  Commencing 1 July 2026 for three years
• Return a future briefing/report on Halls Saddle sustainable vehicle access options
  Future workshop committee and subsequent council consideration
• Develop a live site, fan zone and watch party policy and return a cost-benefit report
  Future report to council
• Include the Australia Post closure motion on the next LGAT general meeting agenda
  Next LGAT general meeting on 19 August 2026
• Review community engagement practices as part of the upcoming Community Engagement Framework review
  New term of council

Extract

MINUTES Open Portion Monday, 29 June 2026 At 4.00pm Council Chamber, Town Hall Minutes (Open Portion) Council Meeting 29/6/2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS PRESENT, APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ................................................... 4 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 5 3. TRANSFER OF AGENDA ITEMS ............................................................. 5 4. NOTIFICATION OF COUNCIL WORKSHOPS ......................................... 5 5. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME ........................................................................ 7 6. PETITIONS .....................................................