City of Hobart rejects bid to lift rates on whole-home short stays

The City of Hobart has rejected a bid to raise rates on whole-home short stay visitor accommodation after councillors debated the issue at its 25 May 2026 meeting in the Council Chamber at Town Hall.

The motion, listed as item 16, sought a higher differential rate for whole-home short stays. An amendment to bring those properties into line with commercial and industrial rates also failed. The minutes record the proposal was lost, without a vote count.

Public question time showed how closely the issue was being watched. Residents asked whether Council would consult hosts, how much extra revenue would be raised, where the money would be spent, and whether the funds would be used for housing or social housing. The Lord Mayor said the questions could not be taken during public question time because the agenda already included the same topic. They were treated as general correspondence and a written response will be provided.

The notice of motion behind the item argued that whole-home short stay accommodation is worsening rental shortages, homelessness and the loss of long-term housing stock in Hobart. Council administration noted existing differential rating settings and said future data would be needed to assess whether they were working.

For short stay operators, the meeting brought no new rate rise. For renters and housing advocates, the council’s latest attempt to use rates as a housing lever did not pass.

The same meeting also endorsed the Hobart Bike Plan 2026. Council said the plan is its approach to creating a safe, connected and comfortable network of routes for cycling in Hobart, with individual projects still subject to further consideration and approval through the usual annual budgeting process.

Council then moved into closed business. The minutes say members resolved by absolute majority to close the public meeting for confidential items including legal proceedings, personal matters and commercial arrangements.