City Planning Meeting - 26 August 2026

The City of Hobart held a City Planning Meeting on August 26, 2026, focusing primarily on proposed amendments to the planning scheme regarding short term rental (STR) accommodations, particularly whole home visitor accommodations like Airbnb. The council discussed the impact of STRs on the local rental housing market, noting Hobart's low vacancy rates and the saturation of whole home rentals. The meeting included a deputation from an Airbnb community leader advocating for responsible hosting and opposing the draft amendment that would restrict new whole home STRs in residential zones. Council members debated the balance between supporting housing availability and allowing property owners to use their homes for STRs. The council voted to support the draft amendment to restrict new whole home STRs in certain residential areas, while allowing existing permits and short stay in commercial zones to continue. The amendment will be forwarded to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for further consideration and public hearings. Additional agenda items included discussions on road impact assessments related to development projects and signage approvals, with no significant procurement decisions noted.