Hobart First is built on five clear priorities that we want to see for the people of Hobart.

1. Know Your Place

​

Great cities are built on great foundations. Hobart First wants the Council to refocus on what local government is here to do: well-maintained roads and footpaths, reliable waste collection, effective drainage, and the essential services that residents count on every single day. We want to see the drift into social engineering and niche projects that fall well outside Council’s core mandate, and a stronger focus on delivering on the basics. Core business only.

​

2. Pro-Business Revival

​

Hobart’s businesses are the heartbeat of our city. They create jobs, drive prosperity, and make Hobart the vibrant place we love. Hobart First wants a Council that is genuinely welcoming to business by cutting red tape, speeding up approvals, and working as a partner, not a barrier. A thriving CBD and a strong local economy benefit every single Hobart resident.

​

3. Cost-of-Living Relief

​

Rates are too high. Hobart First wants lower rates as the Council is leaner and smarter. A Council that benchmarks its costs and staffing against comparable councils, eliminates waste, and puts ratepayer money where it belongs: into services, not bureaucracy. We want plain-English rates notices, so every resident knows exactly where their money goes.

​

4. Common Sense Decisions

​

Hobart First wants practical, evidence-based decision-making. No more using the Council as a platform for ideological agendas that have nothing to do with local government. Every proposal should be measured by a simple test: does this deliver real value for Hobart’s community? If not, we don't want it. 

​

5. Solving the Headaches — Faster, Fairer Development

​

The planning and approvals process in Hobart is broken. Businesses and homeowners face delays, confusion, and costs that serve no one. We want to see  streamlined development applications, clear timelines, and a culture of urgency and fairness to the process restored. Getting the right development approved quickly is good for the city.  It must happen.

​

​