News from tonight’s Hobart City Council meeting 28 July 2025

Published on 29 July 2025

Dog Management Policy Review

The Hobart City Council has endorsed the draft of the City of Hobart Dog Management Policy and proposed declared areas for public comment, in line with the Dog Control Act 2000. A further report will be provided for Council consideration following the consultation period.

In relation to South Hobart Oval, the City acknowledges the long-standing shared use of the ground by both the South Hobart Football Club and the local dog-walking community. While the Club has raised concerns about the impact of dogs on the playing surface, the oval remains a vital centrally located off-lead space in a suburb lacking suitable well-located open space for dog exercise purposes.

Despite various efforts over many years, to identify suitable compromise arrangements between the two parties, the City is committed to continue working with the club and the local dog-walking community to identify and implement improvements over time to address the current issues, including, for example; increase surveillance of the ground, additional council maintenance, additional playing spaces, new off-lead dog exercise areas in South Hobart.

To support this, it is proposed that the City enact the following measures:

• Supported professional mediation between the Club and the South Hobart dog owning community.
• The establishment of a consultive committee for the South Hobart Oval and Park, including Club and broader community representation, to support the City in its ongoing management of the facility and the implementation of the South Hobart Oval Master Plan.
• The provision of user booking information via the City’s website, and the encouragement of the cooperative promotion of this information by Club and the dog owning community.

Country, Culture, People 2025-2028; Building Cultural Safety within the City of Hobart with Aboriginal People

The Hobart City Council has endorsed the document Country, Culture, People 2025–2028: Building Cultural Safety within the City of Hobart with Aboriginal People (CCP).

Developed in partnership with the Palawa community, the cultural safety plan replaces the City’s previous Aboriginal Commitment and Action Plan and outlines actions to strengthen cultural safety, recognition, and inclusion of Aboriginal people across Hobart.

The City will continue to undertake further community engagement as actions are developed and authorises the CEO to implement the internal and operational steps outlined in the report.

Funding Programs Policy

Following recommendations of a review by KPMG, the City of Hobart has adopted a new Funding Programs Policy to guide future grant and sponsorship support for community initiatives and events. The City of Hobart provides about $2.6 million each year through its grants’ programs. The policy replaces the existing Grants Program and Inbound Requests for Sponsorship policies, streamlining processes and aligning with recommendations from the 2024 Funding Program Review.

As part of the transition, Council has approved the extension of existing City and Civic Partnership Agreements through to the end of the 2025–26 financial year, supporting events such as Festa Italia ($10,818), Estia Greek Festival ($10,818), the Royal Hobart Regatta ($32,454), Sandy Bay Regatta ($32,454), Hobart ANZAC Day Commemorations ($32,454), and the City of Hobart Eisteddfod ($10,818).

The updated policy will be published on the City’s website. All partnership agreements will be recorded in the City’s Annual Report in line with its Grants and Benefits Disclosure Policy.

Request for Payment for Vandalism – Cr Louise Elliot

The City of Hobart will send a request for payment to the Tasmanian Labor Party to recover costs associated with the removal of political advertising stickers being placed on City infrastructure across Hobart.