Hobart Mayor Anna Reynolds proud of council’s work in first year

“Interesting, rewarding, challenging and, like most jobs, occasionally frustrating,” - that’s Anna Reynolds’ quick take on her first year as City of Hobart Lord Mayor.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is one year into her term. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

ACROSS a series of 470 meetings, 196 functions and 27 council receptions in the past year, Anna Reynolds says her enthusiasm for the role of Lord Mayor has not waivered.

“I love my new job. It’s interesting, rewarding, challenging and, like most jobs, occasionally frustrating,” she says approaching the one-year anniversary of her success in the 2018 local government elections.

Cr Reynolds was elevated to the city’s top job with a strong primary vote among the 11 mayoral candidates. She finished with 62.35 per cent (11,508 votes) after the final distribution of preferences, ahead of a former mayor, Damon Thomas 37.65 per cent (6950 votes). Tomorrow, Cr Reynolds is taking the unusual step of presenting her version of an achievements report to the council.

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In the report, she says the council has much to be proud of.

“We have agreed to policies, approved funding and designs for projects, worked on and signed off on strategies and worked with other levels of government and stakeholders to drive change,” she writes.

“I feel very positive about the future of Hobart.”

Cr Reynolds says highlights of the past year include:

WAR ON WASTE: The council will introduce a by-law to ban single-use plastic takeaway containers and packaging.

ACTION ON HOMELESSNESS: The formation of the Greater Hobart Homelessness Alliance was one initiative arising from the response to growing concern about homelessness and people sleeping rough.

STRATEGIC PLANNING: The City of Hobart has signed up to the Central Hobart Precinct Plan, the Greater Hobart City Deal and the Greater Hobart Act. The planning covers issues such as building design and heights, traffic and movement, infrastructure needs and housing supply.

CITY DEVELOPMENT: Cr Reynolds disagrees with assertions that some sectors of the council are anti-development and points out in her report that the council approved 85 developments worth an estimated $133.7 million. The council-approved developments included 187 residential dwellings and 223 hotel rooms.

COMMUNITY INTEREST: The council convened two public meetings at the City Hall in response to community petitions regarding building heights and the cable car proposal. On the environment front, the council made decisions to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency and is expanding smoke-free areas to promote health and wellbeing in the community.

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