Portfolio Committees
At its meeting on Monday 21 November 2022, Council resolved to introduce a new governance model that includes an Elected Member Portfolio system as part of its governance structure.
More information on the governance structure can be found on the Governance page.
The system includes 11 Portfolio Committees with an advisory role only and the Planning Committee.
Portfolio committee member selection (EOI)
Applications to join a portfolio committee have now closed.
Selected committee members were ratified by the Council at its 24 April meeting.
Please note that the names of individual committee members will not be publicised until we have confirmed that all proposed members have accepted their invitation to be appointed. Committee membership lists will be uploaded to this section, following the first meeting of each committee.
If you have questions or feedback regarding the EOI application process, you can email recruitment@hobartcity.com.au or call 03 6238 2711.
About Portfolio Committees
City of Hobart is establishing Portfolio Committees to provide advice on the development of initiatives and strategies to make Hobart a great place to live, work and play.
Each Portfolio represents a key strategic policy area identified in the Hobart Community Vision and Capital City Strategic Plan 2019-2029.
Portfolio Committees will be chaired by an Elected Member of Council and made up of diverse community representatives with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Portfolio Committees meet quarterly, and a summary of the agenda and outcomes will be made available on the Portfolio Committee webpage.
They are advisory only and do not have delegated authority to make decisions. The Committee and its members have no power to commit the City to any decision or action, or to direct Council staff in their duties.
Role of Portfolio Committees
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Provide local area "lived experience" knowledge to support Council decision making regarding the portfolio area to support the implementation of the Hobart Community Vision and Capital City Strategic Plan.
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Provide subject matter expertise to the Portfolio Committee to further the understanding of the portfolio group.
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Advise Council on how to best engage local communities regarding the portfolio area.
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Advise Council on key local projects regarding the portfolio area identified as important by the local community and organisations through the development of the Capital City Strategic Plan.
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Facilitate communication between Council, local communities and organisations in relation to the Hobart Community Vision and Capital City Strategic Plan.
Portfolios and Planning Committee(PNG, 308KB)
Portfolio Committees
Below is a list of all 11 Portfolio Committees, with information on each, including the focus, Terms of Reference, Chair, and proposed meeting dates.
City Economy Portfolio Committee
The City Economy Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Considering macro and micro economic data available to the City from a range of sources and advising on the development of relevant economic policy.
- Collaboration with business and government agencies to ensure that Hobart is a productive and supportive environment for conducting commercial activity that will provide benefits to Hobart and the surrounding area.
Terms of Reference - City Economy Portfolio Committee(PDF, 243KB)
Work Plan - City Economy Portfolio Committee(PDF, 112KB)
Chair
Ald Louise Bloomfield
Members
Corey Bygraves
Casey Farrell
Louise Grimmer
Cooper Healy
Emma Hope
Edwin Johnstone
Nabin Mahat
Lauren Purtill
Brad Upton
Zephyr West
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 23 January
- Tuesday 16 April
- Tuesday 2 July
- Tuesday 24 September
Creative City Portfolio Committee
The Creative City Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Developing a Creative City Strategy that enables a thriving, diverse and creative industry sector in the City.
- Identify advocacy goals and investment across the sector at all levels of government.
- Promoting investment in all stages of the creative process through grants, programs, capital works development, exhibitions, conferences and events.
- Promoting the annual events, activations and festival calendar to ensure Hobart is a thriving Capital City.
- Collaborating with the community, regional groups, business and government agencies to achieve consistent and broad reaching improvements that will provide benefits to the whole of Hobart and surrounding areas.
Terms of Reference - Creative City Portfolio Committee(PDF, 220KB)
Work Plan - Creative City Portfolio Committee(PDF, 111KB)
Chair
Cr John Kelly
Members
Angela Esquivel
Joss Fenton
Hamish Hall
Benjamin Mildren
Kate Owen
Sanaullah Sanaullah
Lucinda Toynbee Wilson
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 27 February
- Tuesday 14 May
- Tuesday 30 July
- Tuesday 29 October
Future Hobart Portfolio Committee
The Future Hobart Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Creating more liveable, better designed and planned, and well-connected neighbourhoods through mixed land use, different housing types and greater access to quality public transport.
- Establishing directions, policies and program that improve liveability.
- Ways to manage growth and ensure that development is sustainable ad considers climate change impacts, at the same time maximises the capacity of/for Hobart and its people.
- Providing input into the Future Hobart plan – the overarching narrative for the future land use plan for the City.
Terms of Reference - Future Hobart Portfolio Committee(PDF, 231KB)
Work Plan - Future Hobart Portfolio Committee(PDF, 149KB)
Chair
Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet
Members
Fiona Abercrombie-Howroyd
Sarah Bendeich
Amy Booth
Jordanna Elder
Mat Hinds
Jeff Krafft
Emma Little
Miriam McGarry
Hayden Moore
Lucy Mulvany-Tennant
Laura Smith
Nathan Volf
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 26 March
- Tuesday 18 June
- Tuesday 3 September
- Tuesday 26 November
Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Committee
The Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Embracing ways to resect, preserve and protect the environment including embracing promoting circular economy principles and programs, waste avoidance, reduction and recycling, habitat and water conservation practices, renewable energy, alternative waste treatment methods and a commitment to combatting climate change.
- Collaborating with, and leading the community, regional groups, peak bodies, business and government agencies to achieve consistent and broad reaching environmental improvements that will provide long term compounding benefits to Hobart and the surrounding area.
- Application of 'whole of life' design principles for City infrastructure that ensures infrastructure projects are wholly sustainable in terms of input materials, ongoing operations, power generations, water sensitive urban design, and end of life recycling avenues.
Terms of Reference - Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Committee(PDF, 220KB)
Work Plan - Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Committee(PDF, 89KB)
Chair
Cr Bill Harvey
Members
Jason Byrne
Michael Haynes
Todd Houstein
Ana Klincic Andrews
Aaron Leeman-Smith
Scott Lobdale
Cameron McLennan
Ciara Turner
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 12 March
- Tuesday 11 June
- Tuesday 27 August
- Tuesday 19 November
Housing and Homelessness Portfolio Committee
The Housing and Homelessness Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Considering data and information available to the city from a range of sources and advising on the development of relevant programs or policy related to housing and homelessness.
- Collaboration with relevant government and non-government entities to understand and address the drivers of homelessness and enable a supportive environment for provision of diverse new housing stock to address community needs.
Terms of Reference - Housing and Homelessness Portfolio Committee(PDF, 244KB)
Work Plan - Housing and Homelessness Portfolio Committee(PDF, 89KB)
Chair
Cr Mike Dutta
Members
Erika Altmann
Ben Bartl
Amy Booth
Danny Carney
Pattie Chugg
Simon Terhell
Ben Wilson
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 12 March
- Tuesday 11 June
- Tuesday 27 August
- Tuesday 19 November
Climate Futures Portfolio Committee
The Climate Futures Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Enabling an evidence-based whole-of-community response to mitigate and adapt to climate change and take steps towards a zero emissions and resilient city.
- Informing approaches to engage and collaborate with the community, business and government to inspire action and policy reform to address risks and leverage opportunities.
- Taking a whole-of-system view to the connection between people, the environment, and the economy with climate change for current and future generations.
Terms of Reference - Climate Futures Portfolio Committee(PDF, 214KB)
Work Plan - Climate Futures Portfolio Committee(PDF, 85KB)
Chair
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds
Members
Hassan Ali
Laurel Cuff
Sam Eccleston
Mel Fitzpatrick
Perry Jackson
Chris Lang
Melinda Morris
Steven Phipps
Nina Rogers
Millie Rooney
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 27 February
- Tuesday 14 May
- Tuesday 30 July
- Tuesday 29 October
City Heritage Portfolio Committee
The City Heritage Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Enhancing the recognition, promotion, protection and celebration of cultural heritage within the Hobart municipality, including heritage places which are significant for Aboriginal people of Tasmania.
- Embracing the contribution which people from different backgrounds have made to the social fabric and history of Hobart and how those contributions continue today.
- Encourage members of the public and property owners to value and protect the heritage significance of heritage places and precincts within Hobart, including through the Council's regulatory role of planning and building.
- Ensure the Council, as owner of numerous places with heritage value, is taking appropriate steps to ensure that those buildings are being managed in accordance with applicable conservation management plans and processes.
- Monitor national and international heritage methods for the management of heritage, including the development of policy and trends, along with identifying grant opportunities.
Terms of Reference - City Heritage Portfolio Committee(PDF, 241KB)
Work Plan - City Heritage Portfolio Committee(PDF, 87KB)
Chair
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds
Members
Sherrie-lee Evans
Mat Hinds
Brendan Lennard
Deirdre Macdonald
Hugh Magnus
Philippa Moore
Robert Morris-Nunn
Warwick Oakman
Cassandra Pybus
Dianne Snowden
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 23 January
- Tuesday 16 April
- Tuesday 2 July
- Tuesday 24 September
City Mobility Portfolio Committee
The City Mobility Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Development of a City Mobility Strategy, encompassing the Transport Strategy, Parking Strategy, Electric Infrastructure Transition Plan and Active Transport Land Use planning.
- Facilitate the community to develop an engagement strategy the results in informed design, encourages mode transition and infrastructure that enables mode choice across the City of Hobart.
- Collaborate with the community, regional groups, business and government agencies to achieve consistent and broad reaching transport systems improvements that will provide benefits to Hobart and the surrounding areas.
Terms of Reference - City Mobility Portfolio Committee(PDF, 243KB)
Work Plan - City Mobility Portfolio Committee(PDF, 128KB)
Chair
Cr Ryan Posselt
Members
Christian Bell
Anna Blake
Joshua Clarke
Suzy Cooper
Alison Hetherington
Dominic Lang
Leanne Morrison
Andrea Persico
Mathew Sharp
Richard Witbreuk
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 6 February
- Tuesday 7 May
- Tuesday 16 July
- Tuesday 8 October
City Water Portfolio Committee
The City Water Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Keeping our natural environment and waterways strong and healthy, including by understanding and maintaining the flow of water, protecting the biodiversity and integrity of the city's waterways.
- Monitoring and maintaining the health of water and waterways, and the accessibility, safety and quality of water as it is used in the City.
- Working collaboratively with regional partners to ensure that the city remains an effective partner in the key water systems that support our city, including as an owner of the TasWater corporation.
- Maintaining and increasing the City's resilience to extreme water-related events.
Terms of Reference - City Water Portfolio Committee(PDF, 190KB)
Work Plan - City Water Portfolio Committee(PDF, 116KB)
Chair
Cr Ben Lohberger
Members
Christian Attfield
Christopher Bobbi
Michelle Foale
Bernadette Proemse
Priscilla Richards
Margaret Taylor
Don Thompson
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 6 February
- Tuesday 7 May
- Tuesday 16 July
- Tuesday 8 October
Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Committee
The Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Committee focuses on:
- Considering data and information available to the City from a range of sources and advising on the development of relevant programs or policy related to inclusion and access.
- Collaboration with relevant government and non-government entities to develop policy and advise on programs that will ensure that Hobart is a city that is inclusive for all.
Terms of Reference - Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Committee(PDF, 244KB)
Work Plan - Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Committee(PDF, 117KB)
Chair
Cr Dr Zelinda Sherlock
Members
Craig Chadwick
Zara Fenton
Rochelle Finearty
Lauren Foreman
Al Fry
Scott Hardman
Trenton Hoare
Ariane Moore
Laura Smith
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 26 March
- Tuesday 18 June
- Tuesday 3 September
- Tuesday 26 November
Healthy Hobart Portfolio Committee
The Healthy Hobart Portfolio Committee focuses on maximising the health and wellbeing of the City's community by:
- Shaping the City's health and wellbeing related strategies and plans including those related to health promotion and preventative health.
- Providing spaces, facilities and other infrastructure, the community needs to support their health and wellbeing.
- Considering the social determinants of health, public and environmental health programs, services and compliance.
- Collaborating with health and wellbeing focussed partners, stakeholders, agencies and all levels of government to avoid duplication, achieve greater efficiency and leverage expertise and resources.
Terms of Reference - Healthy Hobart Portfolio Committee(PDF, 244KB)
Work Plan - Healthy Hobart Portfolio Committee(PDF, 109KB)
Chair
Cr Will Coats
Members
Paul Curtain
Lauren Di Palma
Kerryn Drysdale
Emily Flies
Alison Lai
Richard Metcalfe
Kristina Mullins
Helen Polacik
Sherri Ring
Kate White
Proposed meeting dates for 2024
- Tuesday 5 March
- Tuesday 4 June
- Tuesday 6 August
- Tuesday 5 November
The Planning Committee, unlike the other committees which are advisory in nature only, is comprised of all 12 elected members of Council.
Planning Committee
The Planning Committee has full powers of the Council as planning authority under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.
In particular, the committee determines applications for planning permits and amendments to planning schemes as well as consider the introduction of local planning provisions.
Planning Committee Terms of Reference(PDF, 160KB)
The Planning Committee meets fortnightly.
FAQs
Below are a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs). For more information, view the Governance page.
What are Portfolio Committees?
The Council at its meeting on Monday 21 November 2022 resolved to establish Portfolio Committees made up of community members and individuals with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of each portfolio.
These Committees will provide support and advice on a range of strategies and policies that contribute to making Hobart a great place to live, work and play.
The Committees will support the delivery of Council's strategic objectives as described in the Capital City Strategic Plan.
Each Portfolio Committee will be chaired by the Elected Member Portfolio Chair.
Terms of Reference for each Portfolio Committee were approved by the Council at its meeting on 12 December 2022.
How are Portfolio Chair's chosen?
The Portfolio chair is an Elected Member who was voted by their peers into this position at the council meeting on 21 November 2022.
As Portfolio Chairs, Elected Members have been assigned specific areas of focus for policy and strategy development aligned with the Council's strategic directions as set out in the Hobart Community Vision and Capital City Strategic Plan.
Establishment of the policy and strategic direction of the City required Elected Members and management to work together to deliver best possible outcomes for the community.
How are Committee members chosen?
Committee members are appointed in two ways.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) process
Applying through the publicly advertised Expression of Interest process open to community members who live, work, study or volunteer in the City of Hobart.
Community member selection is based on the demonstration of the following attributes and skill sets:
- Community members must live, work, study or volunteer in the City of Hobart and be aged 16 or over.
- Interest in advancing the goals in the Hobart Community Vision and Capital City Strategic Plan 2019-29
- Demonstrated or willingness to learn leadership and relationship-building skills.
- Knowledge and experience of the portfolio.
- Strong community linkages with the ability to engage a broad range of community members and views.
- Willingness to constructively participate in an advisory capacity to the City.
- formal acceptance and signing of the Terms of Reference.
Direct invitation
Direct invitation to representatives from specific organisations or individuals with specific expertise to become committee members, thus providing subject matter expertise and strengthening key partnerships.
Do Portfolio Committees replace community engagement?
No. The City of Hobart will continue to carry out community consultations as usual, including listening to our valued advisory groups that represent the interests of specific populations or vulnerable groups.
The Portfolio Committee model is designed to enhance our engagement with the community and a key role of committee members it to advise Council on how we can best engage and facilitate communication between Council, stakeholders and local communities.
Are Portfolio Committee Meetings open to the public?
In most cases, no, unless you are specifically invited to a meeting by the Chair.
Do any other capital cities use the portfolio structure in their governance model?
Similar models are used across Australia and by other Capital cities.
Other councils across Australia such as Moonee Ponds, Port Philip, Toowoomba, Geelong, Wyndham, Gympie, Hume, Mildura, Banana Shire, Moreton Bay, Sothern Downs and many more use similar portfolio structures in their governance model.
This is not a model unique to Hobart and knowledge from its use by other councils has been used to inform what best-practice will look like for the Hobart City Council.