A motion is being put forward at the next Hobart City Council meeting on Monday 15 December to prohibit “automotive retail” in Hobart. This is exactly the kind of overreach that could drive business out of the city.
Actively restricting an entire industry from operating here is a huge red flag for anyone considering investing in Hobart. And the real question is: what comes next?
Once Council starts deciding which legitimate businesses are acceptable and which aren’t, every large-format retailer, from appliance stores to hardware and stationery suppliers, could find themselves on the chopping block.
If the City sends a message that some mainstream businesses aren’t welcome, it creates uncertainty for all investors.
Car dealerships provide jobs, services, and economic activity. Pushing them out doesn’t magically improve the city, it simply moves opportunity elsewhere and leaves Hobart with fewer choices and fewer employment pathways.
If we truly want a thriving, dynamic city, we should be making it easier for businesses to operate here, not setting up new barriers that risk undermining confidence in Hobart as a place to invest.
Edwin Johnstone
Chair of the Confederation of Greater Hobart Business
