City Planning Meeting - 10 June 2026

The City of Hobart held a City Planning Meeting on June 10, 2026, focusing primarily on addressing the challenges posed by short-term rental accommodations within residential areas. The meeting included a detailed presentation by Professor Fibs, who provided research insights into the impact of short-term rentals on the local housing market, highlighting issues such as reduced long-term rental availability and increased property values for homes with short-stay permits. Council members discussed a proposed planning scheme amendment aimed at restricting new short-term rental permits in residential zones while allowing existing permits to continue, with an emphasis on balancing community concerns and housing market pressures. The council expressed interest in exploring incentives to encourage the return of short-term rental properties to the long-term market and acknowledged the complexity of the issue. Additionally, the meeting addressed a specific planning application for a property extension at 53 Warwick Street, which was approved despite some concerns about its use and heritage impact. The council also received and noted delegated decision and advertising applications reports, noting ongoing changes of use to visitor accommodations.