News from Council Meeting - 6 December 2021

Published on 06 December 2021

Commitment to address homelessness

Hobart City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing issues that contribute housing stress and homelessness with endorsement of the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Commitment 2021-23 at tonight’s Council Meeting.

The Commitment provides clarity on the City of Hobart’s role and responsibilities around homelessness issues and outlines actions to be taken across the next two years.

It was developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including members of the community who have a lived experience of homelessness, and took into account feedback received during a broader public consultation program.

The Commitment includes a range of actions that include facilitating and coordinating discussions and consultative groups; supporting service agencies; advocating for appropriate state and federal legislative amendments; and employment of a dedicated officer to work in collaboration with the homelessness sector.

Also included in the action list is the provision of mobile photo charging stations in locations accessible to people experiencing homelessness; and consideration of waiving planning and building permit fees for developments that include social housing.

The Affordable Housing and Homelessness Commitment 2021-23 can be viewed on the City of Hobart’s website.

Policy to protect against discrimination

A policy for the hiring of City of Hobart venues to ensure all bookings comply with existing laws and the Anti Discrimination Act 1998.

In addition, the City will write to all existing booking holders to remind them of their existing obligation to comply with the Act.

Following a motion put by Cr Jax Fox, the Council tonight voted unanimously to note a key section of the Act that states a person “must not incite hatred towards, serious contempt for, or severe ridicule of, a person or a group of persons” based on a number of personal characteristics, including but not limited to sexual orientation and gender identity.

This section of the Act will be reinforced with all existing and future bookings of City venues by members of the public.

Tree policy to be reviewed

The City of Hobart Tree Amenity Formula used for determining the monetary value of trees on public land that are proposed for removal by a private developer will be reviewed.

The Council heard at tonight’s Council meeting that the formula was widely used by councils across Australia and internationally and was considered the industry standard.

Ald Simon Behrakis successfully moved a motion to review the existing policy to ensure that it balances the need to maintain significant tree coverage with the need for additional housing development, and to ensure it remains consistent with community expectation.