Article Date: 4 March 2019
While the rest of the country was still sipping oat lattes through plastic lids, Hobart quietly made history.
In a bold 8–4 vote, Hobart City Council passed a by-law to ban single-use plastics across the city, including takeaway containers, straws, coffee cups, plastic lids, cutlery, and those tiny condiment packets that somehow outlive us all.
Councillor Bill Harvey, who led the charge, said the move was about setting a national precedent. “We’re a council that takes the initiative and makes bold decisions,” he said. Translation: Hobart just raised the bar, and the rest of the country is officially on notice.
The by-law targets petroleum-based plastics used in food packaging and everyday hospitality and while there’s still a 21-day public consultation process ahead, this thing has momentum.
Environment Tasmania Director Philip Cocker called it a “small but significant” step. We call it the first proper move from a capital city that isn’t just talking sustainability, it’s legislating it.
And Hobart didn’t stop there. Council has already written to Environment Minister Elise Archer, urging the Tasmanian Government to roll out a state-wide plastic ban. Because what’s the point in cleaning up your backyard if the neighbours are still chucking straws in the garden?
No more greenwashing. No more "compostable-ish" cutlery. Just one council saying: enough.
Hobart, we salute you.
