In 2004 the Hobart City Council established the Economic Development Advisory Forum as a high level external advisory group to assist the Council in the development of economic policy and to offer a forum for the City's leaders to interact with each other and the Council.
The Council views the Forum as an important source of advice and a sounding board for ideas with regard to the growth of the City. To date, the Council has utilised this group to help develop its Economic Development Strategy and to seek specific input on matters such as an Inner City Development Plan and development options for the Melville Street Car Park site, to name only a few.
Currently, membership comprises 20 of the City's key academics, developers, business owners and industry groups and the group meets on a quarterly basis.