I would like to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. I believe I have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Hobart, not just in the lead-up to an election.
This month, I’m revisiting my previous work and practical ideas to show the experience and approach I would bring to Council.
Vote 1 Edwin Johnstone for Deputy Lord Mayor and Councillor.
About Edwin: Experience That Matters
I am a sixth-generation Tasmanian who has lived and worked in Hobart my whole life. I have operated a local small business for more than 20 years, previously held public-sector roles in communications and IT, and am a UTAS graduate.
As Chair of Business Greater Hobart and through my involvement with community organisations, I have practical experience listening to people, bringing different views together and advocating for sensible solutions.
Collins Street Bike Lanes
For more than two years, I have fought for a safer and more practical outcome for Collins Street. Through Business Greater Hobart, I helped organise public meetings, gather more than 2,000 petition signatures and ensure local voices were heard.
This advocacy helped secure the return of parking spaces during the planning stage, while several problems I warned about have since led to parts of the trial being reversed.
Hobart: A great place to live, work and build a future
13th August 2026 – I recently spoke with ABC Radio Hobart about the growing career opportunities our city offers and why more people are choosing to build their lives here.
Small Business is Community
31st July 2026 – Having operated a Hobart small business for more than 20 years, I understand that the work rarely stops when the doors close. Business owners take the figures, concerns and unfinished jobs home with them. That is why small businesses need a strong local voice.
An Uphill Battle on the Mountain
19th June 2026 – The recent debate around access fees, illegal parking and visitor numbers highlights a bigger issue: how do we ensure access to the mountain keeps pace with growing demand?
How Hobart Can Better Use Its Public Spaces
10th June 2026 – When people think about what makes a great city, they often talk about parks, gardens and public spaces. But simply having green space isn’t enough.
The best public spaces are the ones people actually use.
We need to build a vibrant city centre
28th May 2026 – For years, there has been discussion about how to make Hobart’s CBD more vibrant, safer after hours and more supportive of local businesses. One of the most effective ways to achieve that is simple: more people actually living in the city.
UTAS Sandy Bay Land Sale
16th April 2026 – The UTAS Sandy Bay land sale has now cleared Parliament, but there are still more questions than answers. We’re told this is about funding a new STEM precinct and delivering housing. That sounds fine on the surface. But the more you look at it, the less clear it becomes whether it will actually deliver either.
Be Practical with City Hall Future
4th April 2026 – It is understandable that people want to protect YouthARC (Mercury Letters, April 2). Facilities that support young people and provide safe places to connect are important and should remain part of Hobart’s community infrastructure.
Read more..
Our piecemeal water repairs are draining
15th January 2026 – Last year, Hobart was given a blunt reminder of what happens when underground infrastructure is allowed to age out of sight and out of mind. World War II – era water mains beneath Liverpool and Murray Streets burst, flooding nearby businesses, damaging roads and forcing emergency works in the heart of the CBD.
Read more..
EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
- Hobart small business owner for over 20 years
- Active across business & community organisations
- Public sector experience in communications and IT
- University of Tasmania graduate
- Sixth-generation Tasmanian
CURRENT ROLES
- Business Greater Hobart: Chair
- Choir of High Hopes Hobart: Board Member
- Rostrum Club 3 Hobart: Vice President
- Rotary Salamanca: Member
- Safer Hobart Alliance (SHA): Member
- City of Hobart – City Economy Committee: Member
- Skål International Hobart: Member
ABOUT EDWIN
Hi, I’m Edwin Johnstone, a proud sixth-generation Tasmanian born and raised in Hobart’s northern suburbs. I’ve lived and worked here my entire life, and I’m deeply committed to supporting our local community and economy.
I currently serve as Chair of the Business Greater Hobart, representing and advocating for the many businesses that make our city vibrant and unique.
With over two decades of experience as a small business owner and a professional background in health, communications, and IT, I champion practical solutions that help Hobart thrive.
I’m passionate about ensuring our CBD remains accessible, welcoming, and dynamic, working closely with local business owners, community leaders, and government to balance growth, sustainability, and community wellbeing.
Beyond business advocacy, I serve on several boards and committees, including Choir of High Hope Hobart, the City Economy Committee, Safer Hobart Alliance (SHA) and I am member of Skål International Hobart, Rostrum Hobart and Rotary Salamanca.
Through these roles, I aim to strengthen community engagement, support cultural initiatives, and promote safety and wellbeing across the city.
At the heart of my work is a vision for a prosperous, people-friendly Hobart—a city where businesses can flourish, locals feel supported, and visitors are inspired to return.
I’m passionate about connecting with people who share this vision and committed to ensuring that our community and businesses succeed together.