News from the Hobart City Council meeting 30 June 2025
Published on 01 July 2025
2025-26 Annual Plan and Budget Estimates
See separate media release.
Draft Hobart Waste Management Strategy 2025
The Draft Hobart Waste Management Strategy, Towards Zero Waste to Landfill, builds upon the last one in 2015, is a comprehensive framework for delivering responsible, financially sustainable waste services.
Hobart generates 42,000 tonnes of waste annually—over 730 kg per person—resulting in around 554 kg of CO₂ emissions per person each year. These levels are unsustainably high.
Reducing waste requires best-practice services, innovative infrastructure, and strong collaboration with the community and partner organisations.
The Strategy reflects the City’s commitment to a circular economy, increased resource recovery, and zero waste to landfill by 2030. The Strategy outlines actions to reduce waste generation, prepare for the closure of McRobies Gully landfill, and supports the community in embracing low-waste practices.
Council will also explore regulatory options to prevent commercial food and organic waste from going to landfill by 2030, and consider requirements for degassing refrigerated appliances before disposal—potentially offering this service at its waste facilities.
Biodiversity Action Plan 2025-30
The City of Hobart’s revised Biodiversity Action Plan 2025–2030 is the strategic framework for managing Hobart’s bushland reserves. The plan maps biodiversity values across all land types, guiding planning, land management, and collaboration with external stakeholders to protect the City’s flora and fauna. It commits to restoring and reconnecting key habitat corridors across Hobart, helping native wildlife adapt and thrive amid increasing urbanisation and climate pressures.
Council will consider a process in accordance with section 21 of the Cat Management Act to have all council bushlands reserves be declared cat management areas.
A new community-facing document, Protecting our Wild Heart, will be developed to share these commitments.
City of Hobart Christmas Pageant – Myer Sponsorship
The future of biggest and most popular Christmas community event has been locked in with a three-year sponsorship agreement with Myer. The sponsorship for the City of Hobart Christmas Pageant runs from 2025–2027, securing naming rights with a total investment of $116,500. The partnership continues a long-standing relationship, supports community celebrations, and includes cash sponsorship, float winner gift cards, and refurbishment of the Santa float. Myer will be consulted as part of the City’s broader review of the Pageant.
Proposal for a Town Hall Open Day
Following the success of the 150-year celebration of Town Hall in 2016, an open Day will be held on Sunday 19 October 2025 to celebrate the historical and architectural significance of this iconic site, whilst also fostering transparency and civic involvement. The CEO will also consider including trams as part of the event, subject to cost and logistical feasibility. To assess the impact and community engagement of the event, a post-event report will be provided to Council.
Local Government Association of Tasmania General Meeting – Proposed Motion
The Hobart City Council endorsed lodging a motion to the LGAT General Meeting on 25 July 2025, requesting that the Tasmanian Government reinstate the Better Active Transport Grant program and commit to ongoing annual funding of at least 1% of the roads budget to support active transport projects.
Proposed Planning Application Fee Waiver – SHE Wellness Centre
The City of Hobart will waive fees of $45,356 for the planning application for a cancer wellness centre at 31–35 Campbell Street, under section 207 of the Local Government Act 1993. A policy will be developed to guide future decisions on planning fee remissions.