Hobart Workshop Committee - 1 Jun 2026 4.00pm

Topics

• Strong opposition to fenced dog area at Lower Wellesley Park
  Community consultation shows the proposed off-lead dog area faces heavy resistance.
  Could change the future of a popular local park proposal and affect residents, dog walkers and nearby households.
• Hobart committee closes part of meeting for confidential items
  The committee voted by majority to move into a closed session for several confidential agenda items.
  Signals that some decisions or discussions were shielded from the public record, which may interest governance watchers.
• Wellesley Park Dog Off-Lead Exercise Area
  A presentation on community engagement outcomes recorded 185 submissions, with 32 positive responses and 133 negative responses. Members noted the community is strongly opposed to a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park.
  May influence whether the dog exercise area proceeds or is redesigned, affecting nearby residents and dog walkers.

Decisions

• Closed portion of meeting resolved to be held in private
  The committee agreed by majority to close the meeting to the public for confidential matters, including closed minutes, confidential information and closed questions without notice.
  Limits public access to confidential discussion, but the substantive outcomes were not disclosed in the open minutes.
• Wellesley Park engagement outcomes noted
  Members discussed community feedback on the proposed fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park and acknowledged strong opposition from respondents.
  Relevant to residents near Lower Wellesley Park and dog park users because it indicates the proposal faces significant public opposition.

Discussion

• Wellesley Park Dog Off-Lead Exercise Area
  A presentation on community engagement outcomes recorded 185 submissions, with 32 positive responses and 133 negative responses. Members noted the community is strongly opposed to a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park.
  May influence whether the dog exercise area proceeds or is redesigned, affecting nearby residents and dog walkers.
• Committee workshop process
  The minutes state the workshop forum is used to receive information, and items listed for workshopping are not subject to committee decision other than a resolution that the item be noted.
  Explains that the meeting was primarily informational rather than decision-making.

Impacts

• Potential impact on the future of the proposed fenced dog off-lead area at Lower Wellesley Park.
• Community feedback suggests the proposal may not proceed in its current form.
• Residents will need to watch for any later council or officer action following the workshop.

Places

• Lower Wellesley Park (park)
  Site of the proposed fenced off-lead dog exercise area and community engagement discussion.
• Wellesley Park (park area)
  Broader project area referenced in the engagement outcomes presentation.
• City of Hobart (local government area)
  Council area responsible for the workshop committee and related decision-making.

Next

• Monitor any follow-up report or revised proposal for the Lower Wellesley Park dog off-lead area.
  After the workshop, if progressed by officers or council
• Review confidential closed-session items if and when any public outcomes are released.
  Future meeting or publication

Extract

CITY OF HOBART MINUTES THE HOBART WORKSHOP COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN PORTION MONDAY, 1 JUNE 2026 Minutes (Open Portion) The Hobart Workshop Committee Meeting 1/6/2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY ................................................... 3 2. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 4 3. CONSIDERATION OF SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS ................................. 4 4. INDICATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ....................................... 4 5. TRANSFER OF AGENDA ITEMS ............................................................. 5 6. REPORTS ..................................................