From the Mayor 

Welcome to the November edition of Your News, the City of Launceston's monthly newsletter. 

I am profoundly honoured to have been elected as your Mayor. It's a role that I accept knowing the enormity of the responsibility, and I wish to sincerely thank the voters who have entrusted me with this position.

It's also incredibly exciting to welcome no less than seven new Councillors to the City of Launceston, adding to our vibrancy and diversity.

We are 12 people from very different backgrounds with different life experiences, who've been elected to work together for the betterment of the people of Launceston.

I am 39. A home-owner, a drama school owner, a volunteer, a collaborator, a Councillor, a member of this community.

I understand our challenges and I do not shy away from them, but I'm also someone who believes in setting a way forward that is positive and celebrates who we are and what we can be. 

I wish to lead a Council that is visionary, yet one that fulfils its governance responsibilities to the highest order. 

As Mayor, I will do my best to make decisions based on the evidence, without fear or favour, and with the best interests of the great City of Launceston at heart. 

It's my firm belief that our best days are ahead of us, and I look forward to helping shape a future that holds opportunities for all who visit, live and invest in our incredible city.

Latest State of the City report released

After a difficult two years due the COVID pandemic, an upsurge in shopfront figures has breathed life into Launceston's Central Activity District, much of which can be attributed to the Council's COVID Care and Recovery package.

According to new data published in the City of Launceston's latest State of the City report, 1073 business were recorded in the CBD area, of which 914 were trading. Of those not trading, only 22 were classified as 'empty', with the remainder listed as under renovation, for sale or for lease.

Using data from the 2021/22 financial year, the Council has examined Launceston-specific data relating to population, employment, transport, the environment, digital inclusion, education, sport, recreation, culture, the arts, and development.

The State of the City report shows that Launceston's municipal population has increased 4.5 per cent since 2020, topping 71,906. Launceston's population has been steadily increasing since 2016, outperforming Australia as a whole.

Our unemployment rate has decreased significantly from 8.5 per cent in March, 2021, to 5.2 per cent, with 1.27 jobs in 2020/21 for every working resident.

The region's Gross Regional Product continued its upward trend coming in at $5.08 billion - up 6.9 per cent, and education attainment figures have also improved significantly since 2016.                                     

The State of the City report informs the City of Launceston's Four Year Delivery Plan and contains a range of relevant and interesting data which allow us to track how our city is developing and plan well for the future.

New City of Launceston Council sworn in

Seven new Councillors were elected to the City of Launceston in the recent local government elections, with five incumbent Councillors retaining their seats.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission oversaw the elections, which were conducted via postal ballot and in which voting was compulsory for the first time in the State's local government history. 

More than 40,700 voter ballots were returned in Launceston, equating to a response rate of 82.32 per cent.

Incumbent Councillor Danny Gibson was elected Mayor of Launceston, becoming the 77th person to hold the position, while Matthew Garwood was elected Deputy Mayor.

First-time Councillors Matthew Garwood, George Razay, Joe Pentridge, Andrew Palmer, Lindi McMahon, Susie Cai and Alex Britton join incumbent Councillors Danny Gibson, Hugh McKenzie, Andrea Dawkins, Alan Harris and Tim Walker around the Council table.

Upcoming lighting of the Christmas tree 

Launceston's Christmas spirit is set to shine on Friday (November 25) with the official lighting of the Christmas tree in the Brisbane Street Mall.

Northern Tasmanian families are invited to attend the free, family-friendly event, following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor Danny Gibson said the annual lighting of the tree typically drew thousands of people from across the region, and he was delighted to see it returning in 2022.

"One of my first orders of business as Mayor was to immediately write to the North Pole to formally invite Santa to our Christmas in the City event in Launceston on November 25," Mayor Gibson said.

"I'm pleased to advise that Santa has confirmed his attendance and will arrive at approximately 8.30pm to oversee the lighting of Launceston's Christmas Tree, with the assistance of Make-A-Wish Australia.

The event will run from 5pm to 9pm. The Avenue and St John Street (between Paterson and York streets) will be closed to vehicle traffic between 6pm and 9pm.

Recent floods a reminder to be prepared

Last month's flood events across the North of the State emphasised how important it is for residents and business-owners in low-lying parts of the city to understand their flood risk, remain situationally aware, and have a flood plan in place.

Launceston is a flood-prone city which sits at the junction of the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary and the North Esk and South Esk rivers.

Since record-keeping began, there have been nearly 40 significant riverine floods in Launceston, with major flood events recorded in 1852, 1863, 1929, 1969 and 2016.

Today, more than 12km of earth and concrete levees protect low-lying parts of Launceston, including 19 flood gates and a network of river height sensors which provide emergency services with real-time data on flooding in our major river catchments. 

However, there will always be a risk of a flood event greater than what the levee system can provide protection for. 

The City of Launceston's website contains a range of information and advice on how to prepare for a flood, and links to TasAlert and emergency services resources. 

Myrtle Park reopens after flood damage

The Myrtle Park Camping & Recreation Ground has reopened for bookings and visitors from Friday, November 18.

The popular campground was significantly impacted by last month's flooding event (above) and extensive works have been undertaken to restore the site.

The shower and toilet block will remain closed until repairs are completed, with portable toilets available onsite in the meantime. The shop will be open and the majority of sites operating as usual.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding during these essential repair works.

Elizabeth St multi-storey car park trial

The City of Launceston is trialing extended opening hours for the Elizabeth St multi-storey car park.

The car park is now open until 9pm Monday to Wednesday, 10pm Thursday to Saturday, and from 10.30am to 8pm on Sundays.

The Council will review the trial at the end of January to determine what longer-term approach is required.

Entry to the car park is free after 6pm.

Draft Aboriginal Partnership Plan

The City of Launceston genuinely values its relationship with local Aboriginal people and community.

The Draft Aboriginal Partnership Plan has been developed to form part of the Council’s Community Engagement Strategy - it outlines a focused and agreed approach for the City of Launceston to engage with our Aboriginal community in a culturally respectful and genuine manner.

Free public WIFI roll-out expanded

Several Kings Meadows community groups have benefited from the recent expansion of the city's free public WIFI system.

The Shed, the Kings Meadows Bowls Club and the local scout brigade, as well as a large portion of the public car park at end of Nunamina Avenue, are now covered by the City of Launceston's public WIFI.

The Kings Meadows roll-out was undertaken as part of the Council's ABCDE Learning Sites initiative, and is the first City of Launceston public WIFI deployment in the south of the city after successful installations in Invermay, Mayfield, Rocherlea, Ravenswood, Waverley and Mowbray.

The Council has also installed WIFI access points at the Churchill Park soccer grounds and Rocherlea Football Club.

More than 50 WIFI points have been deployed since the initial roll-out in 2014, with over 85 per cent of the CBD now covered. 

West Tamar car park upgrade underway

The City of Launceston has begun work on a $500,000 upgrade of the West Tamar Trail car park, with the project expected to be completed by Christmas, weather permitting.

The upgrade will see the car park and roadway reshaped and resealed with a road pavement designed to improve drainage, reduce potholes and better withstand inundation in flood events.

The pedestrian and cycle trail will remain open and access to Tamar Marine, Almasts Australia and the Tamar Rowing Club will be maintained, however parking will be restricted for the duration of the project.

Council meetings

Current Development Applications