other · City of Hobart
Hobart backs Dark Mofo deal with $200,000 a year support
City of Hobart councillors endorsed a three-year partnership with DarkLab for Dark Mofo 2026 to 2028, with annual cash support of $200,000 excluding GST, indexed to Hobart CPI.
The City of Hobart has endorsed a three-year City Partnership Agreement with DarkLab for Dark Mofo, locking in annual cash support of $200,000 excluding GST for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 festivals. The resolution was passed at Monday’s council meeting in Hobart.
The funding is indexed to Hobart CPI. The agreement names DarkLab as the festival partner and covers three years rather than a one-off payment.
At the same meeting, councillors adopted the Draft City of Hobart Creative City Strategy and rescinded the previous Creative Hobart strategic framework. The council also authorised minor amendments before the strategy is published on the City website.
The new strategy sets the City’s direction for arts, culture and creative-sector support. It replaces the earlier framework.
Councillors also endorsed the Hobart Inner City Housing Supply Incentive Policy. The policy includes a five-year 100% remission of the General Rate and Stormwater Removal Service Rate for eligible developments, plus repayment of development application fees for eligible projects.
The incentive is aimed at inner Hobart and is intended to encourage more housing supply in the city centre.
Council also backed Liverpool Street between Murray Street and Harrington Street as its preferred alternate event site for the Sunday Farmers Market. It supported delivery in 2026-27 and approved detailed engagement with nearby property owners and occupiers before a further report returns to council.
The meeting also noted a petition opposing a proposed zipline on Ridgeway Road at Ridgeway Waterworks. Council said any application on council land would require planning approval and landowner approval, and that both processes would allow for public input. No further action was taken on the petition.
A motion to limit free parking for elected members to the Town Hall parking deck was lost.
Council also deferred Item 15, City Hall Activation, to a workshop for further consideration.
Reference minutes
Based on the City of Hobart Council meeting minutes for Council - 30 Mar 2026 4.00pm.
Key facts from the minutes
- Council endorsed a three-year City Partnership Agreement with DarkLab for Dark Mofo 2026, 2027 and 2028.
- The agreement includes annual cash support of $200,000 excluding GST, indexed to Hobart CPI.
- Council adopted the Draft City of Hobart Creative City Strategy and rescinded the Creative Hobart strategic framework.
- Council endorsed the Hobart Inner City Housing Supply Incentive Policy, including a five-year 100% remission of the General Rate and Stormwater Removal Service Rate for eligible developments.
- Liverpool Street between Murray and Harrington Streets was named as the preferred alternate site for the Sunday Farmers Market.
- Council noted the Ridgeway Waterworks Zipline petition and said any future application would need planning approval and landowner approval, both with public input.
Why it matters
- The meeting locked in council support for a major festival, approved an inner-city housing incentive and advanced a possible move for the Sunday Farmers Market in the Hobart CBD.