The Tasmanian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (TACC) has voiced strong opposition to a proposal before Hobart City Council that would ban broad-acre automotive retailing in the Hobart CBD.
The TACC has warned the move could cause significant economic harm to an industry that supports hundreds of jobs across the greater Hobart region.
A motion due to be debated at the Council’s December meeting seeks to amend the Hobart Interim Planning Scheme to prospectively prohibit automotive retail operations and coordinate their removal from the city centre.
Business impact
TACC Chief Executive Officer Peter Jones said the proposal reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of the automotive sector’s role in Tasmania’s economy and ignored the practical realities of modern vehicle retailing and servicing.
“This proposal would inflict severe and unjustified harm on businesses, consumers and the broader Tasmanian economy,” Mr Jones said.
“We are talking about an industry that supports businesses with hundreds of employees in the Hobart region, delivering high-skilled employment, substantial private investment, and critical training pathways. Council appears ready to disrupt all of this without proper consultation or clear justification.”
Mr Jones said the timing of the proposal was particularly concerning given the industry’s role in supporting Tasmania’s transition to zero and low-emission vehicles.
“Restricting broad acre automotive retailing would directly undermine the shift to cleaner vehicle technologies by limiting access to suitably sized sites that can accommodate modern workshop facilities, servicing requirements and EV charging infrastructure,” he said.
“At a time when governments are actively encouraging uptake of electric and hybrid vehicles, this proposal would make it harder for Tasmanians to access the very infrastructure and services needed to support that transition.”
Availability concerns
TACC also warned that the proposed restrictions would reduce consumer access to essential automotive services, including repairs, safety inspections and parts supply.
“Hobart residents and visitors rely heavily on the automotive sector for mobility and participation in economic and community life,” Mr Jones said.
“Forcing automotive businesses out of accessible locations would create substantial inconvenience for consumers and impose additional cost burdens on businesses already operating in a challenging economic environment. These are real consequences for real people and businesses.”
The Chamber questioned the strategic rationale behind the proposal, arguing it would disrupt established employment precincts and existing investment plans without clear planning justification or meaningful industry consultation.
“This risks sending a deeply conflicting message about whether Hobart values and supports an industry that underpins Tasmania’s transport system, workforce mobility and broader economic activity,” Mr Jones said.
“Businesses have made long-term investments based on current planning provisions. A planning control of this nature would create unintended and unjustified economic harm whilst undermining confidence in the integrity of Hobart’s planning system.”
Consultation lacking
Mr Jones said the TACC was disappointed the automotive industry had not been consulted prior to the proposal being put forward.
“We should have been part of this conversation from the beginning. Instead, we’re learning about proposals that could fundamentally reshape our industry’s presence in Hobart through a council motion,” he said.
“This is not how good planning policy is developed, and it’s not how you treat an industry that employs hundreds of Tasmanians and provides essential services to every household and business.”
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TACC has written to Hobart City Council General Manager Michael Stretton, urging the Council to reconsider the proposal and requesting an urgent meeting with officers and elected members to discuss its implications.
“We expect constructive engagement before any decisions are made that could fundamentally reshape the automotive industry’s presence in Hobart,” Mr Jones said.
“TACC will vigorously oppose any planning changes that inflict unjustified harm on our industry, but we remain willing to work with Council to find solutions that balance the city’s development aspirations with the legitimate needs of businesses that serve every Tasmanian.”