No More Aldermen
For many years people elected to the Glenorchy City Council have been referred to as “alderman” — e.g. Alderman Smith — simply because our Council is a “city” council. And the aldermen seemed to like being referred to that way. A status thing maybe? Our current Tasmanian Local Government Act has since 1993 given people…
Public Open Space (questions without notice, 26 Oct 2026)
This post shows answers provided by Council to some basic questions about public open space, and the practical implications of that status.
Determining Development Applications under delegation
It has bugged me for many years how opaque the process of determining DAs by Council planning staff under delegation is to the public. Council has in the last ten years changed the rules about what DAs could be dealt with under delegation. At each step, it seemed that transparency was reduced to increase efficiency.…
They should be grateful for a roof over their heads
It doesn’t seem to matter that a proposed social housing development is in a bad location, with small units, and no public transport. People in social housing should be grateful for a roof over their head.
Retrospective planning permits: no such thing
A planning permit is a permit to construct something with certain specifications. But so long as you have a permit for something that looks exactly like what you’ve done (or is close enought), you’re good. Read on.
Changes to Council Planning Officer delegations (29 June 2026)
Today Council further extended delegations for senior planning staff with the prime objective of reducing the number of Planning Authority meetings – with little supporting evidence or logic.
Do wheels rule on the Cycleway?
What follows is a copy of a Facebook post written last year as a rant about the way cyclists on the Cycleway treat those on foot. As a regular walker on what is officially called a Cycleway but in reality is a shared space, I regularly feel uncomfortable when overtaken from behind by a cyclist…
Lowes Bridge. Protected?
Few will know of Lowes Bridge in Chigwell. Historic. Built in the 1800s. Listed as a significant historic place in the planning scheme. But sadly unloved, unkempt, unvisited, unattractive.
Parklets coming to Moonah
Main Road in the Moonah CBD leaves little room to add trees or plants for a more relaxing place to be. Parklets can provide that. Council are working on it.
Conflicts of interest for councillors
In December 2025 I read in the Mercury website a story about the debate in Burnie Council regarding the Marinus Link project. The Mercury article says that “Mayor Teeny Brumby excused herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest stemming from her public support for the project”. To learn more about conflict of…
Glenorchy needs a city square
While the council forecourt is attractive, it is not a place designed to encourage the public to go and spend time. It could be. It should be.
Anyone remember Housing Supply Orders?
Vacant land in Allunga Road with a Housing Supply Order may finally contain six 2BR units despite major “parking shortfall”. Planning Authority to decide next Monday (8/12/2025). Watch online if you’re interested.
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