blog
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Scaled-Down Davey Street Hotel Wins Council Approval
A scaled-down six-storey, 67-room boutique hotel on Davey Street has been approved by the Hobart City Council, following years of design revisions to meet strict height and heritage requirements. The development at 61–63 Davey Street will include a ground-floor bar, valet-accessed basement parking for up to 39 cars, and a green rooftop space. The project…
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Hobart’s Best Days Are On The Horizon
Published: The Mercury 4th November 2025 We need to foster a general culture of positivity instead of negativity being the default option, writes Edwin Johnstone It’s easy to be negative in business these days. Costs are rising, recruitment is challenging and every week seems to bring new uncertainty. For many small business owners across Hobart,…
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Education is key in battle to save city’s soul
Published: The Mercury 8th October 2025 Hobart’s heritage is both fragile and irreplaceable. In recent months, two incidents have highlighted just how vulnerable our most cherished public places are: the theft of bronze plaques from Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue, on the Queens Domain, and the damage inflicted on Kelly’s Steps, in Battery Point, by e-scooters. Neither…
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Sing With the Boss 2025
I’m excited to be singing with the Choir of High Hopes Hobart for our annual “Sing with the Boss” fundraising event! Join us In The Hanging Garden on 15th October at 5pm for a free, one-hour singalong where Hobart’s CEOs and business leaders take the stage alongside the choir. The Choir brings connection, confidence, and…
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Bookfest
Salamanca Rotary Bookfest Returns The Rotary Club of Salamanca is proud to announce the return of its much-loved Salamanca Rotary Bookfest, a celebration of reading, recycling, and community spirit. The event will be held at Sea Scout Hall in Sandy Bayon from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday 11th Oct and 9 am to…
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Markets play an integral role in driving economy
Published: The Mercury 17th September 2025 They are the place where business ideas can flourish and where every dollar spent is supporting local Edwin Johnstone As the days lengthen and Hobart’s streets warm under the first sun of spring, the city’s markets are once again bustling with energy, colour and fresh local produce. From the…
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Hobart’s CBD Must Retain Function and Accessibility
Published: The Mercury 29th August 2025 HOBART’S CBD CAN BE LIVELY AND ATTRACTIVE, BUT MUST RETAIN FUNCTION AND ACCESSIBILITY A VIBRANT AND THRIVING HOBART MEANS FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE SO THE CITY WORKS FOR EVERYONE The anti-car agenda keeps rolling on with the Hobart City Council launching plans for more “parklets” and kerbside dining. As…
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Bike lane bullies
Published: The Mercury 29th March 2025 When the bike lanes in Collin St debate first started many businesses in the area vocalised their opposition to the proposal, but they quickly stopped being public about it. Behind the scenes support from businesses did not stop but they were genuinely concerned about tactics being deployed by those…
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Practical Solutions for Bike Lanes and Traffic Needed
Published: The Mercury 10th Febraury 2025 DEBATE RAGING OVER BIKE LANES IN THE CBD MUST BE STEERED TOWARDS PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS IT’S TIME THE CYCLING LOBBY PUT THE BRAKES ON ITS IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH AND LISTENED TO THE VIEWS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS, WRITES EDWIN JOHNSTONE The ongoing debate over the dual bike lane proposal for Collins St…
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Scrambling to Hurt Hobart Businesses
Published: The Mercury 12th December 2024 A majority of Hobart councillors voted to continue the scramble crossing trial indefinitely. Why call these things a trial? The outcomes are predetermined and never put in place with local businesses in mind, just ideology. Scramble crossing make no sense with our mainly one-way streets. They are a terribly…