funding · City of Hobart
Hobart backs extreme weather protocol for rough sleepers
City of Hobart councillors have backed a push for Tasmanian Government funding for a pilot Extreme Weather Protocol, with council funding flagged in next year’s budget if the state refuses again.
City of Hobart councillors have backed an Extreme Weather Protocol for rough sleepers, backing a call for the Tasmanian Government to fund Homes Tasmania to work with council on a pilot program. The resolution was carried at Tuesday’s 4pm council meeting.
Councillors also carried a clause to allocate council funding in the next budget for a two-year trial if state funding is refused again. The protocol is aimed at people experiencing homelessness during heatwaves, bushfires and winter storms.
The same meeting approved the Hobart: A City for All - Action Plan 2026-29. Council also amended the plan to include consideration of additional disability car parking spaces on the second level of Argyle Street Car Park, near the overpass to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Council said the action plan would be monitored and an annual outcome report prepared for councillors. The plan sets the city’s inclusion and equity actions for the coming years.
On Collins Street, councillors deferred a motion seeking urgent fixes to safety, access and traffic issues arising from the Transforming Collins Street trial. The motion also sought public messaging about e-scooters in separated bike lanes, but was sent to the Hobart Workshop Committee for further consideration.
Public question time showed the Collins Street issue is still under scrutiny. Andrew Edwards asked about a possible move of the Farmers Market from Bathurst Street to Collins Street. The CEO said council had workshopped the proposal and asked for more investigation, including wind advice, with an update due at the Hobart Workshop Committee next month.
Council also rejected a motion that would have required the CEO to engage an external investigation into the alleged offsite removal of refreshments and snacks from the Elected Members Lounge, along with related organisational changes. The motion was lost.
In another major item, council resolved to support drafting its submission on the draft Local Government Electoral Bill 2025 and related electoral reforms so it backed a $10,000 expenditure cap applying to all councils. The meeting also adopted the City of Hobart Annual Report 2024-25 and received and noted the Code of Conduct Determination Report about a complaint by Councillor Ryan Posselt against Councillor Louise Elliot.
One budget item, DKHAC new fees and charges 2025-26, was also adopted. The schedule included free first hours for some parking users at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre and a $60 rate for longer stays.
Reference minutes
Filed from the City of Hobart Council meeting on 27 January 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council carried clauses asking the Tasmanian Government to fund Homes Tasmania to partner on a pilot Extreme Weather Protocol.
- If state funding is refused again, council will consider allocating funding in its next budget for a two-year trial.
- The protocol is aimed at rough sleepers during heatwaves, bushfires and winter storms.
- Council approved the Hobart: A City for All - Action Plan 2026-29 and added a disability parking item at Argyle Street Car Park.
- A Collins Street safety and access motion was deferred to the Hobart Workshop Committee.
- Council supported drafting a submission on electoral reform to back a $10,000 expenditure cap for all councils.
- The City of Hobart Annual Report 2024-25 was adopted.
Why it matters
- The protocol could expand emergency shelter and support for rough sleepers during heatwaves, bushfires and winter storms if state or council funding is secured.