Hobart CBD businesses left without fee-relief commitment after motion withdrawn

Hobart hospitality and retail businesses have no new Council commitment on fee relief after Councillor M S C Dutta withdrew a proposed financial-relief motion before it was moved on 27 July.

The motion would have asked officers to investigate temporary assistance for businesses in the Hobart CBD. That included waivers, reductions or deferrals of outdoor dining fees and other Council charges, along with possible changes to the digital growth grants program.

It also sought an assessment of the financial impacts of those measures for 2027 - 28. Because the motion was withdrawn before it was moved, there was no debate or vote on the proposal.

No outdoor dining fee waiver, charge reduction, payment deferral or change to the grants program was approved at the meeting.

The proposal focused on businesses facing pressure from operating costs and included hospitality, retail and live music venues. It was an investigation of possible assistance, rather than a plan that would have immediately changed fees or grants.

The City has 135 businesses with outdoor dining permits. Separately, Council considered winter relief from outdoor dining licence fees. The Council’s administration response said permit holders can request a temporary or extended suspension, or reduce the approved area, when winter patronage is lower. Fees are charged while public space is actively occupied for outdoor dining, and fees paid in advance can be refunded if a venue closes or stops using the area.

Those existing arrangements were not changed by the withdrawn motion.

Any further proposal for temporary financial relief would need to return to Council for consideration. For now, businesses have no Council-approved change to outdoor dining fees, other charges or the digital growth grants program for 2027 - 28.