2022-01-16 14:53: A truck carrying tiles rolls over as it enters the Tasman Bridge from the western end. The bridge is at least partially closed for over four hours as the driver is rescued and the truck and debris removed. The ensuing traffic jam blocks up major thoroughfares on both sides of the river during the afternoon/evening rush.

2022-01-16 16:45: I publish the previous post, and learn the above news.

2022-01-16 19:01: With many councillors and key staff, including Council’s streaming technicians, stuck in traffic in one part of greater Hobart or another, the meeting is adjourned for one week.

2022-01-23 19:01: Everything is fine. Roll tape.

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I usually go into these meetings with some sort of main event in mind, a drawcard, something I think will be the most interesting. Last meeting that was the Council Prayer motion, the meeting before the end of the election I was eyeing up the Little Howrah Beach item, and so on. This doesn’t always pan out. Tonight’s big item descends into mundanity and what should be simple becomes complex. Roll tape.

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Most people come to a council meeting looking for something to happen. They might be advocating for or against a planning item, or have a question to ask, or just want to be there when a big thing happens. Whatever the case, if you watch enough, you will come to the conclusion that, for factors no one involved seems to be in control of, most people don’t and indeed cannot get what they want.

Tonight, in what turned out to be a bumper meeting, I present a slice of this philosophy, as an uncaring planning system sends much of a packed gallery home unhappy.

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Here we are, then, after the election. All the votes have been counted and we have a new set of twelve councillors. Some are familiar, some are new, one is returning from absence. All were gathered in the chambers on Bligh Street, as the CEO opened proceedings with the declarations of office. One thing is certain:

We’re going to need a third frame on the wall.

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It was a chilly spring night on Monday as I took the bus to Bligh Street for the last meeting of the Clarence City Council for the 2018-22 term. The gallery was more crowded and the meeting longer than I anticipated, which actually worked out better for me, but let’s not worry about that. Onwards!

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We begin our exercise in the dying weeks of this iteration of Council. Nine of the twelve councillors are out campaigning to keep their seats, the other three throwing in the towel. Tonight’s meeting has a slim agenda and a slimmer chance of producing much in the way of soundbites, except maybe for Item 8.4.1, but I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

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